twitter facebook googleplus linkedin email

Observation

Why?

Observation is a qualitative, data collection method that enables the study of behavior in various kinds of settings. Thus, the students use this method to uncover hidden aspect of behaviors that users or stakeholders are either unconscious about or find difficult to describe in words.

How?

The students make observations of users or other stakeholders, connected to the problem. Such observation can be carried out in many ways and in many different settings. The students may perform a hidden observation, which ensures that the users do not change their behavior due to the observation. Another way is to openly tell the users that they are being observed, or make participant observation in which the student-researcher interacts with the users during the user-experience. The latter enables the students to ask elaborating questions throughout the observation in a walk’n talk manner.


Tips

Depending on the type of observation, the students use a recording device or a logbook as to register everything that they observe. The students might also combine the observation with a video- or photo safari (see Safari Trip).

Literature


Angrosino, M. V. (2007). Doing ethnographic and observational research. Los Angeles, Calif;London;: SAGE.

Jordan, B., & Henderson, A. (1995). Interaction analysis: Foundations and practice. The journal of the learning sciences, 4(1), 39-103.