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White Paper Project 4 Engl317
White Paper Project 4 Engl317
Usability Test
Microsoft Word and Google Docs
Autumn Rane
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Methodology 3
Tasks3
Test Environment 3
Metrics 3
Evaluative Criteria 3
Results 4
Task 1 4
Task 2 5
Task 3 6
Task 4 7
Task 5 7-8
Task 6 8-9
Task 7 9
Task 8 10
Task 9 11
Task 10 11-12
Grand Total 12
Conclusion and Recommendations 12
Bibliography 13
Appendix 14-23
2
Introduction
Microsoft Word and Google Docs are both writing programs used by people intending to create
documents of many different types. Writers, students, educators, and anyone hoping to create a
document can use Microsoft Word or Google Docs. This white paper outlines and documents a
usability test of both Microsoft Word and Google Docs. The usability test consists of ten tasks
that are basic functions of both programs. Each task is a simple task, and the usability test was
designed for someone with little to no experience with these programs. Each task was then
graded with a metric of a six-point Likert scale.
Methodology
Tasks
1. Create a table of contents
2. Wrap text around a picture
3. Create labels
4. Convert document to a PDF
5. Insert chart
6. Add watermarks
7. Search and use find and replace
8. Add a bibliography
9. Insert footnotes
10. Start page numbers later in a document
Test Environment
This test was done in my apartment using a Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 with the latest version of the
Microsoft edge browser. My laptop runs Windows 11 version 23H2. I was in a quiet and calm
environment with no distractions, increasing my ability to conduct the usability tests.
Metrics
Effective: Was the task able to be completed?
Efficient: Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete?
Engaging: Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Error Tolerant: Were there errors while completing the task?
Easy to Learn: Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Evaluative Criteria
Each metric will be evaluated using the following Likert scale. The number chosen represents the
score each metric received, and a higher score represents doing better on the task. Each metric
will be evaluated using a six-point scale, meaning a total of 30 points can be received per task,
and a total score of 300 points for each program can be achieved.
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Results
Task 1: Create a Table of Contents
Microsoft Word
Score: 29/30
Google Docs
Score: 26/30
Creating a Table of Contents
Task 2: Wrap Text Around a Picture
6
Microsoft Word
4
This task was very easy to
2
complete. After inserting a picture
into a document, it only took two 0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
‘clicks’ to wrap text around the Tolerant Learn
picture. It was very easy to tell Microsoft Word Google Docs
where the right button was, and
there were several options to
4
choose from. Each icon under the wrap text feature showed a little preview of what the image would
look like wrapped around the text using each different feature. This was very helpful and efficient to
guide me in which option to choose. After picking an option, I could easily resize and move the picture
according to how I wanted it on the page. Overall, this task was efficient and engaging.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs:
Score: 29/30
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
5
page, the task would have been easy to complete. Overall, the steps to complete the task were minimal
and easy to complete.
Score: 28/30
Google Docs
Score: 5/30
Create Labels
6
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
Score: 30/30
6
Google Docs
Score: 30/30
Convert to PDF
6
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
For the most part this task was easy and efficient
to complete. I navigated to the insert tab in the
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top left corner of the page and clicked on chart to insert the chart. The task of adding a chart to the
document was very effective and easy to complete. The task of manipulating and editing the chart was a
little more intuitive and took more effort to complete. It became clear that the only way to edit the chart
would be to leave the program and enter Google Sheets in order to manipulate the chart. The overall
task of simply adding a chart to the document was very easy, but editing or changing the chart would
add extra steps and effort.
Insert Chart
Score: 29/30 6.5
6
Task 6: Add watermarks 5.5
Microsoft Word 5
4.5
nt ve in
g nt ar
n
This task was also one of the easier tasks to complete within cie cti g e ra Le
Effi ffe nga To
l o
Microsoft Word. I utilized the search bar at the top of the page to E E r s yt
ro Ea
search ‘Insert Watermark. I hovered Er
over the insert watermark option and Microsoft Word Google Docs
several different options popped up.
There were several different types of
watermarks to choose from. All it took
was one ‘click’ to then add a
watermark successfully to the
document. Overall, this task was easy
and efficient to complete.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
8
Score: 28/30
Insert Watermark
Task 7: Search and Use Find and Replace 6.5
Microsoft Word 6
5.5
This task was very easy and effective. Utilizing the
5
search bar to search ‘Find and Replace’ was really 4.5
the only step to completing this task. After searching Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
for the find and replace feature, the only thing left
to do is search for a specific word or phrase within Microsoft Word Google Docs
the document. This task was very intuitive, effective,
and took very little effort or time to complete.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
Score: 30/30
Score: 27/30
Google Docs
9
to insert citations popped up. A pop up appeared on the right-side document. In the pop up there was
then the option to add a citation source. This task could hypothetically be completed if there were
sources to be added to the document. This task was easy to complete and did not take much effort to
complete, but the task could only be completed if there were sources to be added.
Score: 27/30
Bibliography
6
0
Efficient Effective Engaging Error Easy to
Tolerant Learn
This task was very easy and took very little effort to complete. I used the search bar to search for ‘Insert
Footnotes’ and the option to insert a footnote popped up. It only took one ‘click’ to insert a footnote. It
was very easy to then add notes to the footnote and create several different footnotes. Overall, this task
was efficient and effective.
Score: 30/30
Google Docs
10
pops up. It takes one ‘click’ to add footnotes to the document. It was very easy to add notes to the
footnotes section or to add several different footnotes. Ultimately, this task took very little effort and
time to complete.
Score: 27/30
Google Docs
Most every task could be completed with very little effort and was intuitive to learn. I would recommend
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Microsoft Word over Google Docs. After completing this usability test, I have found that Microsoft has
more capabilities than Google Docs, and Word is more user friendly than Docs. Both programs were very
easy to navigate, and the search bar was very helpful when completing tasks within the programs. I
would recommend adding more capabilities to Google Docs so that more tasks can be completed using
that program. Specifically, I would recommend using Microsoft Word when writing a white paper due to
its efficiency and ease when completing tasks. Word also has a wider capability and would be more
useful to write longer, more technical papers such as a white paper.
Bibliography
Microsoft Word: Microsoft Word 2023 (Computer Program)
12
Appendix
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 1 Create a table of contents Create a table of contents
ficient Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete? Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
fective Was the task able to be completed? Was the task able to be completed?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
gaging Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete? Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
13
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 1 Create a table of contents Create a table of contents
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional Overall, the task was easy to complete. The only problem I The task was easy to figure out how to do but wasn’t exactly
otes noticed was when picking the table of contents, if you want to completed. The table of contents can only be created if there
have a “blank slate” you have to choose the manual option. are prior words and headings on the page. Overall, it was eas
The automatic table of contents won’t work unless there are to find the search bar and search for the table of contents to
already headings and text on the paper. insert it, but it does not necessarily create a table of contents
with just a few clicks.
Score: 29/30
Score: 26/30
14
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 2 Wrap text around a picture Wrap text around a picture
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easy to complete. It took only a couple of For the most part this task was easy to complete. The only
otes clicks to wrap the text around a picture. It was obvious with downside was it was slightly difficult to find the button to
labels that explained which type of text wrapping was relevant wrap the text. It was a small button and there weren’t as man
for the situation. options compared to Microsoft Word for wrapping the text,
but it was still able to be completed.
Score: 30/30
Score: 29/30
15
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 3 Create labels Create labels
fill the labels. not within Google Docs itself.
16
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 5 Insert chart Insert chart
ficient Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete? Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
fective Was the task able to be completed? Was the task able to be completed?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
gaging Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete? Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easy to complete. The search bar is very This task was easily completed as it only takes two clicks to
otes useful as it takes two clicks after searching “chart” to insert a insert a chart. The only problem is that the only way to
chart, and it is easy to manipulate after inserting it into the manipulate or edit the chart is in google sheets instead of in
document. the document itself which adds extra steps.
17
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 6 Add watermarks Add watermarks
ficient Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete? Did the task take a reasonable amount of time to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
fective Was the task able to be completed? Was the task able to be completed?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
gaging Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete? Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easy to complete. The search bar makes it This task was a little more difficult to complete as it took a
otes very easy to add a watermark with only one click. few more steps. Instead of automatically adding a watermark
you must choose what the watermark will be and manually
Score: 30/30 type it in to add it. Overall, the task was completed, but with
little more time.
Score: 28/30
18
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 7 Search and use find and replace Search and use find and replace
fective Was the task able to be completed? Was the task able to be completed?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
gaging Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete? Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task took only the search bar to find the replace feature This task took only the search bar to find the replace feature
otes and was easy to complete. and was easy to complete.
19
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 8 Add a bibliography Add a bibliography
gaging Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete? Was the task pleasing and stimulating to complete?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was easy to find the components to complete it, but This task was easy to find the components to complete it, bu
otes not necessarily easy to complete unless there are sources to not necessarily easy to complete unless there are sources to
add to the document. add to the document.
20
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 9 Insert footnotes Insert footnotes
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
ror Were there no errors while completing the task? Were there no errors while completing the task?
lerant
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was very easily completed. It only took one click to This task was very easily completed. It only took one click t
otes insert a footnote and edit it. insert a footnote and edit it.
21
sks Microsoft Word Google Docs
ASK 10 Start page numbers later in a document Start page numbers later in a document
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
sy to Learn Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it? Was the task intuitive to find and learn how to use it?
Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strongl Strongly Disagree Slightly Slightly Agree Strong
Disagree Disagree Agree y Disagree Disagree Agree y
Agree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
dditional This task was easy to complete, but it took a little bit more The option to start the page number on a page different than
otes time. The option to start the page number on a page different the first was slightly difficult to find as it is under “more
from the first is a small little checkbox so it is slightly difficult options” in the page number insert tab. It was still able to be
to find but can be done. completed easily, just with a few more steps.
22