Abstract:

By conducting your own study, you'll learn how to plan field visits, what to look for, and how to analyze the data. You'll learn how to observe and collect key information to feed into your design. Techniques include:

• selecting users
• cataloging and analyzing tasks
• developing forms to collect data
• observing and interviewing
• creating profiles and personas

Learning objectives:

This full-day tutorial is an in-depth exploration of how to plan and conduct a field study, how to do a detailed task analysis, and how to conduct contextual interviews. It includes creative ideas for collecting and using data, as well as tips for planning and conducting the visits. The tools covered in the course can be used collectively for a thorough study or individually when budgets don’t allow for a complete study. Throughout the course, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their own methods, and exchange experiences.

How tutorial will be conducted:

The course stresses active participation; more than 50% of the class time will be spent in discussion and exercises. A short video of an actual study will be shown. Deliverables from other actual studies will be posted in the classroom for students to review. The class will be divided into teams of 4 – 9 people. Each team will perform its own field study at a pre-arranged location. (The field study sites are generally within or near the conference center or hotel.) Teams will use a Polaroid camera and their own study materials to collect data. Teams will plan a field study, gather data, and analyze data. Using flip charts, colored markers/pens, Post-it Notes and the Polaroid photos, teams will document and present their study findings.

Detailed Description of Material Covered by Tutorial and a Schedule of Events

This tutorial was given at the Usability Professionals’ Association 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2002 conferences. It has also been taught at Jared Spool’s User Interface conferences from 1998 – 2001, CHI 2002 - 2003 and at the Studio 2001 conference in Seattle. This course was the most highly rated tutorial at each of the UPA and UIE conferences where it was taught. The workshop format is well honed and highly successful. We have incorporated participant comments by shortening the student presentation time and providing more examples and anecdotes throughout the day.

8:30 – 8:45 Introduction and Overview (15 minutes)

During the introduction and overview, participants will describe their experience conducting field studies and what they hope to learn in the class. Then, the instructors will discuss the following topics:

• Where field research fits in the user-centered design process
• Why field research is important
• Terminology
• A process and a philosophy

8:45 – 9:15 Determining appropriate participant groups (30 minutes)

This section stresses the importance of customer profiles. Participants will learn how to describe their user base and target particular groups of users for potential field visits. There will be time for participants to exchange information on useful techniques. Topics covered in this section include:

• Determining the appropriate participant mix
• Locating and collecting demographic information
• Working with customer lists
• Using outside market research firms
• Developing surveys and screeners

9:15 – 10:00 Planning and Conducting a Field Study (1 hour)

This section covers the basics of planning, setting up, and running a field study. Participants will learn tips to expedite this part of the study, such as using already documented user and task data that likely exists within their company.

• Planning and setup
• Day-in-the-life studies
• Observing and interviewing users in context
• Targeting the most important tasks

10:00 – 10:30 BREAK

10:30 – 10:45 Planning and Conducting a Field Study (cont.)

10:45 – 11:15 Exercise: Developing materials (30 minutes)

Participants will work with their team members to develop field study forms and surveys to use for their field study exercise. The exercise field study site will be pre-arranged, and the team members will have a contact name for at least one person at the site they are visiting. The course instructors will circulate through the room, assisting teams with their planning.

11:15 – 12:00 Exercise: Field Study (45 minutes)

Teams will conduct their field study exercise during an extended lunch period. Team members will decide how to divide study roles and activities.

12:00 – 1:30 LUNCH, and Exercise continued, if needed

1:30 – 2:30 Analyzing the data (1 hour)

This section focuses on how to use the data collected during field studies. Participants will learn how to analyze data as a team. Sample diagrams, charts, and storyboards will be used to illustrate techniques.

Topics covered in this section include:

• Slicing and dicing the data
• Developing profiles and personas
• Isolating usage patterns
• Analyzing key tasks
• Creating process storyboards
• Developing user data posters

2:30 – 3:00 Exercise: Producing deliverables (45 minutes)

Teams will produce as many deliverables as possible during the 45-minute exercise period. Instructors will suggest appropriate deliverables and assist teams as needed.

3:00 – 3:30 BREAK

3:30 – 3:45 Exercise: Producing deliverables (cont.)

3:45 – 4:30 Exercise: Team presentations (45 minutes)

There will be approximately 45 minutes available for team presentations. The instructors will determine the length and format of the presentations, depending upon how many participants are enrolled in the tutorial.

4:30 – 5:00 Fitting It In (30 minutes)

This section is a presentation of useful ideas for making the field research process work for your organization. The presentation will be followed by a group discussion. Topics covered in this section include:

• Modifying your schedule
• Convincing management
• Encouraging process change

Instructors' Biographies

Kate Gomoll is a pioneer in UI design and usability. Prior to joining GE Medical Systems, she was President of Gomoll Research & Design, a firm specializing in user experience design. The company has done research for many clients, including: Charles Schwab, DirecTV, HP and Netscape. Kate’s user observation guidelines appear in The Art of Human Computer Interface Design and The Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines. She has taught at the UPA, CHI and UIE conferences.

Ellen Story was one of the first to practice usability engineering while at Northwestern Mutual. She educated teams on the user–centered design process and UI design. Later, at Metavante, she did field research, created UI models, designed detailed windows, and participated in usability testing. Since joining Gomoll Research & Design, Ellen has helped many clients with field research, UI design, prototyping, and usability testing. She has taught at the UPA, CHI and UIE conferences.