As we discussed in Chapter 1, Why Everyone Should Run Remote Usability Studies, in a remote moderated usability study, the UX researcher and the study participant are both present and connected, but they are not in the same location.
Moderated studies use the internet and collaborative software, so the UX researcher can watch the participant interact with the product being tested and can see their facial expressions. Real-time moderation makes it possible to ask additional questions, based on what is observed as the participant.
Stakeholders that are familiar with in-person studies may see remote moderated studies as a justifiable compromise, as compared to in-person testing, because of the ability to observe, ask follow-up questions, and include participants from different geographies, without incurring additional...
