Alternative methods for field usability research

Field usability research involves observing people in their own environments—for example, workplaces, homes, and schools—to learn their normal or natural behavior. Through field research, we can gain an in-depth understanding of the goals, needs, and activities of people who use the products and documentation we design and develop. This paper introduces three field research methods—condensed contextual inquiry, ethnographic interviewing, and field usability testing—illustrated with a short case history of each method. The paper then describes when and why to use each method, that is, how to choose the appropriate method for different data-collection goals. Categories and Subject Descriptors H.5.2 [Information Systems] Interfaces and Presentation — User Interfaces, Theory and methods General Terms Human Factors Keywords Usability research, contextual inquiry, ethnographic interview, usability testing

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: SIGDOC
• Authors: Laurie Kantner, Deborah Hinderer Sova, Stephanie Rosenbaum
• Keywords: Field Usability, Field Usability Research, SIGDOC 2003, Usability Research