Difference between revisions of "Contextual Inquiry"

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== Purpose & Objectives ==
 
== Purpose & Objectives ==
 +
Why are you doing this? What are you aiming for?
  
* Closing the gap between Marketing, Developers and Users
+
As a part of user-centred design we use contextual inquiry to understand underlying structures of our focus task, to explore the context of existing technologies and to prepare us for ideating future creations for our target users.
* Explore the environment of the user
+
The goal is to understand what roles are involved in the task, what specific activities users are performing and in what social context normal usage takes place.
  
=== 4 Step procedure===
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== Data Sources ==
 +
Where do you find the knowledge or input needed to do it?
  
* Narrow down your question and purpose
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Knowledge is acquired through qualitative as well as quantitative means such as surveys, interviews, observations, screenshots and audio/video recordings with current or past users.
* Choose data collection method
 
* Investigate the context
 
* Analyse and interpret the findings
 
  
== Methods of Data Collection ==
+
== Procedure ==
=== Observation ===
+
How do you do it? Which techniques or tools do you use?
  
 +
Firstly, the research questions are narrowed down. Once this has taken place, one or more data collection methods are chosen, after which a certain number of participants will be recruited and an on-site investigation is arranged. After the investigation is completed, the findings are analyzed and interpreted into insights.
  
*Investigating the user needs in the context
+
== Outcomes / Results ==
* We observed the users in their usual working environment during normal working hours, cover the spectrum of roles
+
What do you get once you have done it?
* This is followed by the interviews and questionnaires
 
 
 
=== Interviews ===
 
 
 
* Firstly we introduce ourselves and inform regarding the nature of interview, hand out consent form
 
* Combine with simulation prior to interviewing
 
* Using structured/unstructured interviews
 
* Be able to adjust questions on the go if participant provides valuable information on particular topic
 
  
=== Survey & Questionnaires ===
+
Insights on motivations and needs of the participants/users are acquired. We also try to understand their problems and values. Thirdly, we try to understand the nature of the tasks and the way the user performs these. Additionally, we try to understand the solutions and exisiting difficulties with the current tools.
  
* Short surveys were preferred - open-ended questions
+
Using all these insights we will be inspired for our ideation.
* Long surveys - close-ended questions
 
  
== Outcomes / Results ==
+
Contextual Inquiry places the foundation for two methods that are commonly used for ideation - persoanae and scenarios. It can help understand different types of typical users as well as typical usage.

Latest revision as of 07:36, 17 May 2021

Purpose & Objectives

Why are you doing this? What are you aiming for?

As a part of user-centred design we use contextual inquiry to understand underlying structures of our focus task, to explore the context of existing technologies and to prepare us for ideating future creations for our target users. The goal is to understand what roles are involved in the task, what specific activities users are performing and in what social context normal usage takes place.

Data Sources

Where do you find the knowledge or input needed to do it?

Knowledge is acquired through qualitative as well as quantitative means such as surveys, interviews, observations, screenshots and audio/video recordings with current or past users.

Procedure

How do you do it? Which techniques or tools do you use?

Firstly, the research questions are narrowed down. Once this has taken place, one or more data collection methods are chosen, after which a certain number of participants will be recruited and an on-site investigation is arranged. After the investigation is completed, the findings are analyzed and interpreted into insights.

Outcomes / Results

What do you get once you have done it?

Insights on motivations and needs of the participants/users are acquired. We also try to understand their problems and values. Thirdly, we try to understand the nature of the tasks and the way the user performs these. Additionally, we try to understand the solutions and exisiting difficulties with the current tools.

Using all these insights we will be inspired for our ideation.

Contextual Inquiry places the foundation for two methods that are commonly used for ideation - persoanae and scenarios. It can help understand different types of typical users as well as typical usage.