Here are some definitions of the terms that are commonly used when conducting research for user-centred web design. You will find these are used in other articles on our blog.
| Accessibility | The degree to which a system allows people with physical, mental or cultural handicaps to interact effectively with that system |
| Card Sorting | Activity in which users organise a set of data in ways that they think makes sense |
| Concept model | A diagram that shows the relationships between different abstract concepts |
| Content inventory | A list of all the information contained in a website, along with data that describes the information from several points of view (such as target audience or location). Also known as a content analysis or content audit. |
| Deliverable | A document created during the course of a web design project to facilitate communications, capture decisions and stimulate innovation |
| Heuristics | Quick rules of thumb used to streamline design decisions |
| Information architecture (IA) |
How a website’s content is organised and presented to its users to facilitate navigation and search functions. |
| Metadata | Data used to categorise other data |
| Personas | Description of fictional yet realistic persons that represents a target user group/market. |
| Prototype / wireframe | A simplified view of what content will appear on each screen of the final website, usually devoid of colour typographical styles and images. Also known as schematics, blueprints, prototypes |
| Scenarios | A story describing a user’s problem situation and how she might use a product to achieve a solution |
| Screen designs | Screen designs are a collection of images in an electronic format that show what the final website will look like. Also known as mock-ups, visual design, design concepts or interface design. |
| Site map | A visual representation of a website’ sstructure. Also known as a structural model, taxonomy, hierarchy, navigation model, or site structure. |
| Tree test | A way to measure how well users can find items in a website hierarchy |
| Usability testing | A test conducted with end users to see how usable they find a product |
| User-Centred Design (UCD) | A design approach that involves the continuous involvement of users in the design process; products and services developed with user centred design are likely to show increased usability and deliver a better user experience. |
| User experience (UX) | The “user experience” is all elements of a user’s experience (physical, mental and emotional) as they use a product or service. |
| User Flow | A path map highlighting what a user has to do within your product to accomplish his goals |
| Wireframe / prototype | A simplified view of what content will appear on each screen of the final website, usually devoid of colour typographical styles and images. Also known as schematics, blueprints, prototypes |