The CUDA Lab Testing Facility is located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.
The usability lab is set up to replicate conditions similar to a home office:
A computer is set up at a desk in a “living room” type area with a couch.
A usability test faciliator and observers sit behind a one-way mirror to relay tasks to participants and ask questions (over intercom), and monitor participant progress on tasks.
Video equipment and a computer screen converter are used to record participant reactions and comments as well as participant activities on the computer as they carry out tasks (for later analysis).
A home office setting (with observers behind a one-way mirror) is used so that participants in the usability evaluations will have an experience closer to what they would have at home alone working on the system being tested.