Context

Right now, Wikidata’s main search only provides result suggestions for Items. Neither Lexemes, Properties or Entity Schemas can be retrieved nor displayed as search results.

If users wish to search for an element with a data types other than item, they need to type a prefix ("P:", "L:" and "E:") in front of their search terms. But, when they submit these specialized queries, they are still redirected to Special:Search upon pressing enter.

Previous research performed by the Wikimedia Indonesia team, for example, has shown that people are not able to figure out how to search for Lexemes.

Problem

With that context in mind, the Wikidata team decided to redesign the current main search experience and make it possible to retrieve other data types (See T321543 and T327507). The team has settled on two potential design directions that they would now like to validate.

Solution

We’d like to conduct a round of moderated usability tests with a sample of 8 to 10 Wikidata users, both newbies and experts, in order to validate the design direction for the new, extended search.

Find the full usability test plan in this document.

Acceptance criteria

• We are able to make an informed decision and select (or iterate on) the design solution that offers a better user experience
• Results from usability tests are analyzed and documented in a report