Field Study

[lindsayboylan]

What

A field study is an activity where you study a user in their "natural environment"

Why

Field studies are helpful in providing a contextual, unbiased picture of what a user's daily life is like and how that relates to your product(s).

When

There are two different ways we conduct field studies at Mariana

• Large, full-scale studies that involve weeks to months-long work.
• Recurring single session studies that allow us to see our users and products evolve over time in their natural environment.

Generally, you perform a field study when

• you need to understand the big picture
• you're starting from the beginning of a project/product
• it is difficult to fit research "in the lab" (interviews & tests)

There is no wrong time to conduct these, but typically they are a generative activity.

How

General research study steps

1. Write plan - to include goals/objectives, known problems, and desired outcome
2. Identify where and who you will be studying
3. Decide how you will study - direct observation, participant observation (you participate), or interviews
4. Collect data & analyze often
5. Analyze findings and report to the team

This is a helpful guide that goes way more in-depth with logistics, tools, tips, etc

Pro Tips

• Ideally, these are done alone. It is tough to assimilate and for your users not to feel like they are being watched. 2 people max
• Similarly, try to blend in as best as you can. Don't make them feel like they're being watched, they are not a lab rat.
• Dress appropriately for the environment. For us, that means casual, athletic clothes.
• Ask questions contextually if you can, but if not write down exactly what happened and follow up with them later. It will be difficult for people to remember exactly what they did, as its likely second nature to them. Prompt them with "when you did X and said Y, why/what/etc:

Helpful Reads

• User Interviews Field Study Guide
• nng