Uncovering Perspectives in User Research: Are You Aware of Their Visual Perception?
Stalking someone to catch them in action is an age-old trick, but in the world of user research, it's known as shadowing. This technique is all about observing people using a product or service in their natural environment, and it's not just limited to the UX research field. Businesses use it for internal process design and HR situations, where junior employees learn the ropes from seasoned pros.
Khoi Vin, VP of UX at Wildcard, puts it plainly: "Asking users to change their ways is tough cookies." Shadowing helps you get a handle on existing behavior so you can create designs that cater to their habits, not the other way around.
Shadowing is a qualitative research method, which means it's not meant for mass production. Instead, it provides a foundation for further quantitative research that offers statistically significant results, rather than serving as the final research step.
As a researcher, your task is to act as a peeping Tom, not a meddlesome busybody. You're there to observe, not interfere, since your presence could alter the user's behavior. This is different from traditional customer observations, where the researcher actively engages with the participant while watching them.
But what do you do when you're itching to ask questions? Three common methods can help:
- Questions Prep: Interview the participant ahead of time to gather more info.
- Post-Shadowing Q&A: Ask questions once the observation is complete.
- Team Support: Work with a commentator who explains the observations during the study, especially if you're dealing with complex situations.
shadowing sessions can last anywhere from a quick 30 minutes to a drawn-out multiple days or weeks, depending on what you're trying to learn.
One of the benefits of shadowing is how cost-effective it is – all you need is a researcher's time. It's a great option for those on a tight budget.
Here are some tips for conducting effective shadowing exercises:
- Clear Objectives: Know exactly what you want to learn from the exercise.
- Detailed Notes: Jot down observations to help reconstruct behavior later.
- Limited Videos: Don't get carried away videoing for hours – focus on important moments.
- Observation Guide: Use an observation sheet to help guide your observations.
- Mobile Prep: Make sure you can move easily to follow a mobile participant without disrupting their flow.
shadowing helps identify issues and opportunities in user experience. However, results should never be taken at face value – always conduct further research to confirm findings. Additionally, be mindful of your biases while observing and consider contextual cues to better understand behaviors.
All in all, shadowing is a valuable behavioral observation tool that provides insights into a user's natural environment. But remember, always approach it with a clear objective, unbiased observations, and respect for the user's privacy. Happy shadowing!
Now, if you're interested in learning more about user research, check out the course "User Research - Methods and Best Practices." User research at the British Government also has some enlightening insights on the benefits of regular shadowing sessions. Happy learning! 🤓😊
User research can be a valuable method for gaining insights about education-and-self-development, such as learning new skills in user experience design. Courses like "User Research - Methods and Best Practices" can help individuals learn about various techniques in user research, including shadowing, which is a qualitative research method used for observing people in their natural environment.
In the lifetime of a researcher's journey, continuous learning and lifelong-learning are necessary to stay updated and improve their skills. Asking questions and seeking knowledge are essential steps to improve one's practice in user research, and various methods like questions prep, post-shadowing Q&A, and team support can be utilized to gather more information after shadowing sessions.
