Field Research

1
Field Research

• The art of the interview and observation
• Adapted by Sarah LaDow
• From PWOnline

2
Types of Field Research

• Interview
• Observation
• Surveys

3
PLANNING

• The key to any field research is proper planning
• What are your research questions?
• What do you need to know to answer those
  questions?

4
Types of Interviews

• What is.
• A one on one interview?
• A group interview?
• A story interview?
• How do you know which one to use????

5
Questions????

• Open
• Closed
• Which type might you use for detailed
  information? Which type for a short answer? How
  do you know when to ask open or closed?

6
Plan your questions

• With your research questions in mind, brainstorm
  questions to take with you to the interview

7
Tape Recording or Notes?

• Both are needed, but you may only record the
  interview with the interviewees permission
• Be sure to repeat key points after you write them
  down for accuracy

8
Prepare a transcript

• As soon as you leave the interview, prepare a
  transcript of the interview immediately so you
  will not forget anything.

9
Observation

• Did you see that?
• Did it matter?

10
Thank you

• After an interview or an observation, thank the
  participants

11
Analyze the data

• What did you discover?
• Is it important?
• You could sort by person or by question, but
  sometimes other categories may reveal more
  coherent patterns
• Type of job
• Customer interaction level

12
Try a chart

• Charts will often help organize and analyze the
  information you collect