@misc{9229097,
  abstract     = {{When user interfaces are embedded in physical systems and cannot be accessed through conventional screen sharing, remote usability testing becomes challenging. This is increasingly relevant as products are developed for global markets, where remote evaluation is often necessary despite limited user interface access. This study investigates how alternative testing methods can be used and how they influence usability evaluation outcomes.

Four methods were compared in a controlled 2×2 study, varying in physical co-presence (on-site vs. remote) and interaction execution (direct think-aloud vs. proxy interaction), using a door control panel as a test case (n = 20). Participants completed scenario-based tasks, either through direct interaction or by instructing a moderator, while qualitative and quantitative data were collected, complemented by moderator reflections.

The results show that while task performance and perceived usability were similar across methods, clear differences emerged in interaction and identified usability problems. Direct interaction primarily revealed functional and physical issues, whereas proxy interaction highlighted problems related to interpretation and system logic, generating richer verbal data but increasing cognitive load.

The moderator played a central role, particularly in proxy and remote settings, where interaction became distributed between participant and moderator. This shifted the moderator from observer to active interpreter and executor, making usability issues partly dependent on how interaction was communicated. The findings show that methods enabling remote testing are not neutral substitutes for in-person testing, but reshape both interaction and outcomes.

This suggests that usability testing approaches should not be selected merely to enable access, but designed with an understanding of how they shape the insights produced.}},
  author       = {{Larsson Takman, Frida}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Remote Usability Testing Beyond Screen Sharing: A Comparative Study of Assisted and Traditional Think-Aloud Methods}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}