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Introduction to Field Observation
2:10 with Tomer SharonField observation involves gathering data at the user’s environment. It is the science of contextualization.
Field observation involves gathering data
at the user's environment.
0:04
It is the science of contexualization.
0:09
Field observations are referred to by many
names.
0:11
Field observation, field study, contextual
inquiry, fly on the wall,
0:14
shadowing, ethnography and guided tour.
0:19
The different names indicate how much
interaction happens between
0:23
the participant and the moderator.
0:26
A fly on the wall hints no interaction,
0:29
while a guided tour might indicate there's
more of a conversation going on.
0:31
The truth is that it doesn't really matter
what you call it.
0:36
As long as you're observing a person, a
user, or potential user in their
0:40
natural environment, you are in the field
observation business.
0:44
There could be multiple goals for field
observations.
0:50
Identifying new features or products.
0:53
Validating or invalidating team
assumptions about users.
0:56
Identifying problems people might have.
1:00
Understanding user goals.
1:03
Understanding people's workflow.
1:05
Verifying or developing user profiles.
1:07
Collecting artifacts.
1:10
Artifacts are different things people use
to complete their tasks.
1:12
For example, an artifact of grocery
shopping is a written list of
1:15
groceries one prepares before they go
shopping.
1:20
There are four important pillars for field
observations.
1:25
One, observing.
1:30
Watching people as they go about their
daily lives at home, work, in between, or
1:32
where ever, is relevant to what the
product team is interested in.
1:37
Two, listening.
1:41
Learning the language and jargon people
use in their own environments,
1:43
as well as witnessing conversations they
have with others.
1:47
Three, noticing.
1:51
Paying attention to a variety of behaviors
and
1:53
occurrences that might have significant
implications on user needs.
1:56
And four, gathering.
2:01
Collecting different artifacts that might
again indicate certain user needs or
2:03
missing features or products.
2:08
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