Interviews and Observations

Question 1

What is a interview?

Answer 1

A conversation with a purpose

Question 2

List the fours types of interviews and explain in less sentences the main points of each type.

Answer 2

1. Open-ended/ unstructured: There is a general opening question, afterwards the interview is open (questions like tell me a bit more about…)
2. Semi-structured: A set of questions or topics are pre-defined but questions in between can be exploratory, open.
3. Structured: all the questions are predefined- Same questions in each interview.
4. Group interview( focus group): in group, by conduction of a facilitator and usually semi-structured.

Question 3

Which kind of interview are usually better for getting familiar with people’s tasks?

Answer 3

open interview

Question 4

For which case a structured interview is usually suitable?

Answer 4

get feedback on a particular design

Question 5

List two benefits and two downsides of online interviews

Answer 5

benefits: saves time and money, accessibility
downsides: possible technical issues, possibily a more distanced relationship

Question 6

List three Pitfalls(No go) by interviewing

Answer 6

• questions should not suggest expected answers
• watch out for body language
• be careful with hypothetical questions (better to ask about real experiences)

Question 7

What is the target of observations? What are it’s advantage against a interview?

Answer 7

• observing potential users to unterstand contexts and needs or to evaluate the design of a interactive technology
• People often do not do what they say, behavior across time period instead of impression in time point, people might not remember details in theis past experiences

Question 8

Direct vs indirect observation

Answer 8

Direct: observe with own eyes what people are doing
indirect: analyse records of people’s activiy (e.g. diary )

Question 9

lab vs field observation

Answer 9

lab: controlled enviroment (e.g. at usability lab)
field: uncontrolled - visit people in their enviroments

Question 10

explain the method ‘Think-Aloud Commentaries’. What could be an limitation?

Answer 10

direct observation method, by which user verbalize their thoughts as they move through the interface. As limitation user could act unnatural, filtered.

Question 11

explain the method ‘Contextual Inquiry’. What are the 4 steps to run it?

Answer 11

fieldwork, semi-structured interview, where users are first asked a set of standard questions and then observed and questioned while they work in their enviroments.
1. Getting a overview: introduce, set the context
2. transition: establish the apprenticeship model, agree to may interrup to ask question
3. main interview: observe the user and ask questions as they arise
4. wrap-up: summarise what you learned and get feedback of your impressions from the user

Question 12

gibe one example of indirect observation in uncontrolled enviroment. Briefly explain the method.

Answer 12

Diary studies. User keep track of activities or events in a form of log for a certain time frame.

Question 13

List two possible limitations of diary studies

Answer 13

• observation might change people’s behaviour
• potentially time consuming