For this reason, contextual inquiry can provide richer and more relevant information about how users complete processes than self-reported or lab-based research methods do. However, users can easily talk about what they are doing and why when they are doing it. People attempt to summarize their processes, but important details like reasoning, motivation, and underlying mental models are left out of this summary, leaving researchers with only a superficial understanding of the users’ approach to the activity. These methodologies rely on the users’ ability to recall and explain a process that they are removed from in that moment. The contextual-inquiry method was developed by Hugh Beyer and Karen Holtzblatt as a way to resolve the drawbacks of other qualitative-research methodologies such as surveys and interviews. Typically we conduct contextual inquiry during the early discovery stages for a new feature or product because this research data is so critical in shaping design choices such as requirements, personas, features, architecture, and content strategy. Inquiry: The researcher watches the user as she performs her task and asks for information to understand how and why users do what they do.Ĭontextual inquiry is useful for many domains, but it is especially well-suited for understanding users’ interactions with complex systems and in-depth processes, as well as the point of view of expert users.The context could be in their home, office, or somewhere else entirely. Context: The research takes place in the users’ natural environment as they conduct their activities the way they normally would.Its name describes exactly what makes it valuable - inquiry in context: In our collection of UX-research methodologies, contextual inquiry is essential.Ĭontextual inquiry is a type of ethnographic field study that involves in-depth observation and interviews of a small sample of users to gain a robust understanding of work practices and behaviors.
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