UX designLesson 2 of 2 in the course User research

Contextual Inquiry: Fieldwork, Interpretation, and Research Applications

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Contextual inquiry (CI) is a user-centered design research method within the contextual design methodology. Rather than asking users to describe work in the abstract or complete an artificial test, a researcher observes people doing their normal work in its actual setting and discusses what they are doing. This lesson covers the principles that guide the interaction, its typical phases, and how researchers prepare for a visit.

All flashcards

What is contextual inquiry?
A user-centered research method that observes and discusses ordinary work in the setting where it occurs.
What are the four principles of contextual inquiry?
Context, Partnership, Interpretation, and Focus.
What happens during the body of a contextual interview?
The researcher observes the user's work, discusses actions and decisions, and takes notes.
What is an interpretation session?
A team meeting where a researcher retells a field interview in sequence and team members record facts and insights.
What is tacit knowledge in contextual inquiry?
Knowledge about work that a person may not consciously recognize or readily describe.

Quiz questions

  1. What should a researcher do before recording a contextual interview?Answer: Request the user's permission to record.
  2. How is a typical interpretation session organized?Answer: The researcher retells the interview in sequence while team members record facts and insights.
  3. Which is an example of a research scope contextual inquiry can address?Answer: Understanding the responsibilities and structure of a particular work role.
  4. What is a central limitation of contextual inquiry?Answer: It requires substantial time and effort for site visits and analysis.
  5. How does the Interpretation principle support accurate understanding?Answer: The researcher shares interpretations so the user can clarify or correct them during the interview.

Based on the Wikipedia article Contextual inquiry, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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