Remote UX Research Methods in Post Pandemic World
Who could imagine at the beginning of pandemic that new limited conditions will provide a positive effect on UX research methods. But here we are.
Field studies, user shadowing, cultural probes, diary studies, usability test, in-depth interview, focus groups… we are familiar all these methods in UX world with their pros and cons. And now, the biggest disadvantage of observation techniques is extinguished by the help of pandemic. That is the context differences between real world and test environment.
Previously, test users were being invited to a lab, a meeting room, or even a cafe to participate some usability test sessions. That was before we changed our lives to stay at home and adopt ourselves for living in the same place. We are doing all activities in the same environmental conditions during the day. And now, as UX professionals, we are digitally invited to users' new world during the sessions of usability test, in-depth interviews, or even focus groups. Therefore, we have a chance to observe the real conditions of the target users like a pet activity, or a child voice from background, or maybe uncomfortable chairs. All together, these details are providing us much realistic insights about their actual behaviours to analyse their experiences.
Field studies, user shadowing, cultural probes, diary studies, usability test, in-depth interview, focus groups… we are familiar all these methods in UX world with their pros and cons. And now, the biggest disadvantage of observation techniques is extinguished by the help of pandemic. That is the context differences between real world and test environment.
Previously, test users were being invited to a lab, a meeting room, or even a cafe to participate some usability test sessions. That was before we changed our lives to stay at home and adopt ourselves for living in the same place. We are doing all activities in the same environmental conditions during the day. And now, as UX professionals, we are digitally invited to users' new world during the sessions of usability test, in-depth interviews, or even focus groups. Therefore, we have a chance to observe the real conditions of the target users like a pet activity, or a child voice from background, or maybe uncomfortable chairs. All together, these details are providing us much realistic insights about their actual behaviours to analyse their experiences.
Whatever the clue of context, it will be there together with the users when they interact with the product after relase.
On the other hand, these remote research methods have new difficulties on digital platforms which should be handled by researchers very carefully.
First one is some technical problems which are not possible to predict before the session. There is always a probability to lose connection in the middle of the usability test, which is effect the time metric of the test report. So, researchers should plan remote usability test with alternative connection platforms advisedly.
Also, average usability test duration should be calculated with extra time for each participator. This extra time can be spent for not only technical problems, but also additional questions about contextual clues of users. Before or during the test session, researcher can observe something new about context and try to learn more about its details. As it is mentioned in Design Thinking Non-Linear Process, outcomes from Test stage can provide new data to understand user for Empathise stage.
First one is some technical problems which are not possible to predict before the session. There is always a probability to lose connection in the middle of the usability test, which is effect the time metric of the test report. So, researchers should plan remote usability test with alternative connection platforms advisedly.
Also, average usability test duration should be calculated with extra time for each participator. This extra time can be spent for not only technical problems, but also additional questions about contextual clues of users. Before or during the test session, researcher can observe something new about context and try to learn more about its details. As it is mentioned in Design Thinking Non-Linear Process, outcomes from Test stage can provide new data to understand user for Empathise stage.
The digitalisation of UX research methods is getting faster because of remote work conditions in pandemic world. As a result of it, some basic user research methods are transforming to new best practices like "Digital Shadowing" as a kind of combination. With the aim of adoption to new post pandemic UX world, evaluating the method itself is the key to turn the crisis into an opportunity.
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