Heuristic evaluation is a usability inspection method in human-computer interaction wherein trained evaluators systematically assess a user interface against a set of established usability heuristics (principles), documenting violations and prioritizing recommendations for improvement. The method is defined by three parameters: (1) the heuristic set used as criteria (commonly Nielsen's 10 heuristics or a domain-adapted variant), (2) the number and expertise level of evaluators conducting the inspection, and (3) the structured reporting format that captures each violation with severity rating. It persists through documented practice in HCI methodology, formalized in the Nielsen-Normann framework and maintained through professional UX communities and academic literature. [formal: evaluatio heuristicum | substrate: behavior | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
heuristic-evaluation
Heuristic evaluation is a usability inspection method in human-computer interaction wherein trained evaluators systematically assess a user interface against a set of established usability heuristics (principles), documenting violations an…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made usability inspection method in HCI — a structured technique where evaluators judge a user interface against a set of established usability principles (heuristics), producing findings and recommendations for improvements.
Names and aliases
- heuristic-evaluationen · CANONICAL
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- cmrmfdby0002qd1nlh9ok230jDEPENDS_ON →
Heuristic evaluation needs heuristics (usability principles) to operate now. Remove the heuristic set — the criteria by which evaluators judge interfaces — and the method collapses entirely: it has no framework for assessment. This passes the removal test (Law 8) as a constitutive dependency, not a meta-level 'as a concept needs language' loss (Law 2b). Heuristic-evaluation is defined by its application of heuristics; without them, it ceases to function.
- cmrvj9i7x01c72ceipxppg8h0INSTANCE_OF →
heuristic-evaluation IS a specific kind of evaluation — a usability evaluation method where experts judge a system against a checklist of known principles. A competent speaker would describe it as 'a kind of evaluation.' Per Law 9: specific→general.
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Record identity
- Created
- Jul 24, 2026, 2:11 PM UTC
- Content hash
- ee1f449f7237cc18beb5041ba1369cd63807de64bfc14bc863a3ffd28c96681f