Alternative methods for field usability research

Abstract

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.