In September 2009, the Recovery Board hired an independent moderator to conduct focus groups and usability testing. When the Recovery.gov was redesigned in October 2010, the same moderator conducted another series of focus groups. The goal, in both instances, was to gather feedback from the public and other groups and their recommendations on how to improve Recovery.gov.
2010 Focus Groups
Two two-hour sessions were conducted in Baltimore, Memphis, Detroit, and Phoenix. A total of 69 participants represented a range of interested citizens, as well as current and potential recipients of Recovery Act Awards.
2009 Focus Groups
Two two-hour sessions were convened in Boston, Dayton, Dallas, Richmond, and Sacramento. A total 105 participants represented a range of education and income levels, ethnicities, and physical abilities/disabilities.
2009 Usability Testing
The researchers conducted 72 remote, one-on-one interviews with users who represented a cross-section of the public.
See the full 2009 report: Discovery and Usability Research Findings (PDF 2.0 MB)