Participant observation
A Design Anthropology technique that involves researcher observing participants by being an active part of the research activity.
“Participant observation: walking along and video filming the caretaker on his rounds and conducting semi-structured shop floor interviews with shop owners and staff, in-home observations, and semi-structured interviews with residents.”
Nature & context
Design Anthropology, User Research
Resources
Notes, recorder, camera, fellow researcher (if required) so that all keen details are observed.
Procedure
Before: Usually combined with other research techniques, participant observation particularly focuses on non-verbal cues and emotions that the participant does not verbally express. Understand the context of research and have a fellow researcher who can conduct inquiry/facilitate session while the other can observe participants.
During: Pay attention to detail, every observation is valuable. As this is an obtrusive technique, participants might not exhibit true character because of their knowledge that they are being observed, so take extra caution to keenly observe participant context/ emotions/ practices and any other non-verbal cues while being an active part of the research process. Record extensive notes including photographs and voice recording.
After: Quickly conduct an analysis, right after, of the notes, and pictures as well as other records generated like voice notes and record/annotate your insights. Send out a thank you note to the participant.
Use Case
In the latter stages of research phases of the waste management project, we conducted contextual inquiry with a manger (John) of a trash management company (Express). During contextual inquiry with Sawyer, although both of us had questions prepared, one of us led the conversation while the other observed the non-verbal cues of John (Express).
Sense Making Data
This design anthropology technique is used to understand the participant well beyond what the participant says. So the focus here is on the participant's non verbal expressions and behavior. However, insights can be correlated with what the the participant said and did.