cloud-test: Help us build a better Google Cloud Platform

Google Cloud Platform Blog

Help us build a better Google Cloud Platform

Friday, August 28, 2015

Google Cloud Platform improves as a result of extensive collaboration--including collaboration with users. In particular, user research studies help us improve our cloud platform by allowing us to get feedback directly from cloud and IT administrators around the world.

We’d like to invite you today to join our growing pool of critical contributors. Simply fill out our form and we’ll get in touch as user research study opportunities arise.

During a study, we may present you with and gather your feedback on Google Cloud Platform, a new feature we’re developing, or even prototypes. We may also interview you about particular daily habits or ask you to keep a log of certain activity types over a given period of time. Study sessions can happen at a Google office, in your home or business, or online through your computer or mobile device:

Usability study at a Google office: for those that live local to one of our offices. Typically, you’ll come visit us and meet 1-on-1 with a Google researcher. They’ll ask you some questions, have you use a product, and then gather your feedback on it. The product could be something you’re rather familiar with or some never-before-seen prototype.

Remote usability study: Rather than have you visit our offices, a Google researcher will harness the power of the Internet to conduct the study. Basically, they’ll call you on the phone and set up a screen sharing session with you on your own computer. You can be almost anywhere in the world, but need to have a high-speed Internet connection.

Field study: Google researchers hit the road and come visit you. We won't just show up at your door though – we’ll always check in with you first, talk to you about the details of the study and make a proper appointment.

Experiential sampling study: These studies would require a small amount of activity every day over the course of several days or weeks. Google researchers will ask you to respond to questions about a product, or make entries in a diary document about your use of a product, using your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop to complete the study questions or activities.

After the study, you'll receive a token of our appreciation for your cooperation, such as a gift card. Sharing your experiences with us helps inform our product planning and moves us closer to our goal of building a cloud platform that you'll love.

More questions? Check out our FAQs page to learn more about our user research studies.

- Posted by Google UX Research Infrastructure Team