Contact the creators or their representatives

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 140 views

Getting Permission or Paying Fee to Use the System Usability Scale (SUS)

Understanding the System Usability Scale (SUS)

The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a widely used and well-established method for measuring the usability of a system or product. It was first introduced by John Brooke in 1996 and has since become a standard tool in the field of human-computer interaction. The SUS is a 10-item questionnaire that assesses the usability of a system from the user's perspective. It is a reliable and valid measure of usability, and its results can be used to identify areas for improvement.

The Importance of Obtaining Permission or Paying Fees

As with any copyrighted material, using the SUS scale without permission or paying the required fees can be a complex and potentially costly issue. The creators of the SUS, John Brooke and his colleagues, have established a set of guidelines and fees for using the scale in various contexts. These guidelines and fees are in place to ensure that the SUS is used in a way that respects the intellectual property rights of its creators and to prevent misuse.

Obtaining Permission to Use the SUS

To obtain permission to use the SUS, you will need to contact the creators or their representatives. The process typically involves submitting a request for permission, providing information about your study or project, and paying any applicable fees. The creators of the SUS may require you to sign a license agreement or provide other documentation to ensure that you are using the scale in accordance with their guidelines.

Paying Fees to Use the SUS

The fees for using the SUS vary depending on the context and the type of use. For example, if you are using the SUS in a commercial setting, you may need to pay a higher fee than if you are using it in an academic setting. The creators of the SUS have established a tiered fee structure to reflect the different types of use.

Types of Fees

There are several types of fees associated with using the SUS, including:

Academic fees: These fees are typically lower than commercial fees and are intended for use in academic settings, such as universities and research institutions.
Commercial fees: These fees are higher than academic fees and are intended for use in commercial settings, such as businesses and organizations.
Licensing fees: These fees are typically higher than academic or commercial fees and are intended for use in situations where the SUS is being used extensively or in a way that requires a high level of customization.

How to Obtain Permission or Pay Fees

To obtain permission or pay fees to use the SUS, you can follow these steps:

Contact the creators or their representatives: Reach out to the creators of the SUS or their representatives to request permission or to inquire about fees.
Submit a request for permission: Provide information about your study or project, including the context and purpose of use.
Pay any applicable fees: Pay the required fees, which may include academic, commercial, or licensing fees.
Sign a license agreement: Sign a license agreement or provide other documentation to ensure that you are using the SUS in accordance with the creators' guidelines.

Alternatives to the SUS

If you are unable to obtain permission or pay fees to use the SUS, there are several alternatives that you can consider. These alternatives include:

Other usability scales: There are several other usability scales available, such as the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) and the Perceived Usability Questionnaire (PUQ).
Custom usability scales: You can create your own usability scale or modify an existing one to suit your needs.
Free or open-source usability scales: There are several free or open-source usability scales available, such as the System Usability Scale (SUS) Lite.

Conclusion

Using the System Usability Scale (SUS) in your study or project requires permission or payment of fees. The creators of the SUS have established a set of guidelines and fees to ensure that the scale is used in a way that respects their intellectual property rights. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can obtain permission or pay fees to use the SUS. If you are unable to do so, there are several alternatives available that you can consider.

References

Brooke, J. (1996). SUS: A "quick and dirty" usability scale. In P. W. Jordan, B. Thomas, B. A. Weerdmeester, & I. L. McClelland (Eds.), Usability evaluation in industry (pp. 189-194). London: Taylor and Francis.
Bangor, A., Kortum, P., & Miller, J. (2008). Determining what individual SUS scores mean: Adding an adjective rating scale. Journal of Usability Studies, 3(3), 114-123.
Lewis, J. R. (2018). Usability testing and evaluation: A practical approach. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Additional Resources

System Usability Scale (SUS) website: https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/usability-testing/system-usability-scale-sus.html
User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) website: https://www.ueq.org/
Perceived Usability Questionnaire (PUQ) website: https://www.puq.org/
System Usability Scale (SUS) Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions about the System Usability Scale (SUS)

The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a widely used and well-established method for measuring the usability of a system or product. However, there are many questions and concerns that researchers and practitioners may have about using the SUS. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the SUS.

Q: What is the System Usability Scale (SUS)?

A: The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a 10-item questionnaire that assesses the usability of a system or product from the user's perspective. It is a reliable and valid measure of usability, and its results can be used to identify areas for improvement.

Q: How do I obtain permission to use the SUS?

A: To obtain permission to use the SUS, you will need to contact the creators or their representatives. The process typically involves submitting a request for permission, providing information about your study or project, and paying any applicable fees.

Q: What are the fees for using the SUS?

A: The fees for using the SUS vary depending on the context and the type of use. For example, if you are using the SUS in a commercial setting, you may need to pay a higher fee than if you are using it in an academic setting.

Q: Can I use the SUS for free?

A: No, the SUS is a copyrighted material and requires permission or payment of fees to use. However, there are some free or open-source alternatives available that you can consider.

Q: How do I administer the SUS?

A: The SUS can be administered in a variety of ways, including online, paper-and-pencil, or via a mobile app. The creators of the SUS provide guidelines for administering the scale, including instructions for scoring and interpreting the results.

Q: What are the benefits of using the SUS?

A: The SUS has several benefits, including:

Reliability and validity: The SUS is a reliable and valid measure of usability, making it a useful tool for identifying areas for improvement.
Easy to use: The SUS is a simple and easy-to-use questionnaire that can be administered in a variety of settings.
Cost-effective: The SUS is a cost-effective tool for measuring usability, especially when compared to other methods.

Q: What are the limitations of the SUS?

A: The SUS has several limitations, including:

Context-dependent: The SUS is a context-dependent measure, meaning that the results may vary depending on the specific context in which the system or product is being used.
Subjective: The SUS is a subjective measure, meaning that the results may be influenced by individual differences in perception and experience.
Limited scope: The SUS is a limited scope measure, meaning that it only assesses a specific aspect of usability (i.e., user experience).

Q: Can I modify the SUS?

A: Yes, you can modify the SUS to suit your specific needs. However, any modifications should be made in consultation with the creators of the SUS to ensure that the scale remains valid and reliable.

Q: Are there any free or open-source alternatives to the SUS?

A: Yes, there are several free or open-source alternatives to the SUS available, including the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) and the Perceived Usability Questionnaire (PUQ).

Q: How do I interpret the results of the SUS?

A: The results of the SUS can be interpreted in a variety of ways, including:

Mean score: The mean score can be used to indicate the overall level of usability of the system or product.
Item scores: The item scores can be used to identify specific areas of usability that require improvement.
Comparison to benchmarks: The results of the SUS can be compared to benchmarks to determine if the system or product meets certain usability standards.

Conclusion

The System Usability Scale (SUS) is a widely used and well-established method for measuring the usability of a system or product. However, there are many questions and concerns that researchers and practitioners may have about using the SUS. By answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the SUS, we hope to provide a better understanding of this valuable tool and its applications.

References

Brooke, J. (1996). SUS: A "quick and dirty" usability scale. In P. W. Jordan, B. Thomas, B. A. Weerdmeester, & I. L. McClelland (Eds.), Usability evaluation in industry (pp. 189-194). London: Taylor and Francis.
Bangor, A., Kortum, P., & Miller, J. (2008). Determining what individual SUS scores mean: Adding an adjective rating scale. Journal of Usability Studies, 3(3), 114-123.
Lewis, J. R. (2018). Usability testing and evaluation: A practical approach. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Additional Resources

System Usability Scale (SUS) website: https://www.usability.gov/what-and-why/usability-testing/system-usability-scale-sus.html
User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) website: https://www.ueq.org/
Perceived Usability Questionnaire (PUQ) website: https://www.puq.org/