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Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 A Mixed-Method Approach to Ethnography (or… how I ended up doing research in the rain) PRESENTED BY Caroline Little User Experience Lead, SPARK Experience

A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

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As UX professionals we may not often get the opportunity to observe and interview users in naturalistic settings. Ethnographic techniques, such as observation and contextual inquiry, are not as popular as more traditional, lab-based methods like user experience testing or user interviews. Researchers can often be daunted by the complex methodology and staffing needs necessary to coordinate studies with an ethnographic component, and clients often perceive this type of research as too expensive and time-consuming. However, understanding usersÕ latent needs can be the key to developing a successful product, especially when starting from the conceptual stage. This presentation will discuss when applied ethnography is best used and how a mixed-method approach to a study can create more meaningful insights with less cost and effort than a traditional ethnography study.

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Page 1: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014

A Mixed-Method Approach to Ethnography (or… how I ended up doing research in the rain)

PRESENTED BY Caroline Little User Experience Lead, SPARK Experience !

!

Page 2: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 2

Page 3: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 3

Page 4: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 4

Page 5: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 5

Meet SARAH.

!!!

Page 6: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 6

Meet ALEX.

!!!

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Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 7

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Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 8

Business viability

Possible with Technology

Market viability

Technology possibility

INNOVATION.

User need

Page 9: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 9

The approach: Mixed Methods.

!!!

Page 10: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 10

Mixed Methods: In-person.

!!!

Page 11: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Title of Presentation | Date of Presentation 1 1 Observation.

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Title of Presentation | Date of Presentation 1 2

!

Activities.

Environments.

Interactions.

Objects.

Users.

!!!

Page 13: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Title of Presentation | Date of Presentation 1 3 Contextual Inquiry/Interviewing.

Page 14: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 14

Mixed Methods: Remote.

!!!

Page 15: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 15 Diary study.

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Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 16

Diary study. Observation. Contextual Inquiry. !

Collected by a researcher

In-depth snapshot in time

Researcher time and resource-intensive

! Reported by a participant

Longitudinal

Demanding of the participant

Page 17: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 17

Mixed Methods: In-person OR Remote.

!!!

Page 18: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 18 Participatory Design Sessions.

Page 19: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 19

Mixed Methods: Benefits. !!!

!

Structured

Complementary methodology

Additional data without added significant cost

More touch points between researcher and participant

Page 20: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 20

Lessons Learned: Tips & Tricks.

!!!

Page 21: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 21

Project Team. !!!

!

Set defined roles & responsibilities

Ensure frequent communication

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Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 22

Participants. !!!

!

Consider over-recruiting

Look for some outliers

Dyads may be useful

Page 23: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 23

In-person research. !!!!

Come with a plan, but be flexible

Take lots of photos

Page 24: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 24

Diary study. !!!

!

Choose the right tool for your user base

Start participants in waves

Be proactive

Page 25: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Caroline Little | UXPA International | Thursday, 24 July 2014 25

Analysis. !!!

!

Embrace ambiguity

Create participant profiles

Drive analysis toward deliverables

Page 26: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Ethnography (Caroline Little)

Title of Presentation | Date of Presentation 2 6

CONTACT

Caroline Little User Experience Lead [email protected] www.sparkexperience.com