An approach to interviewing and observing people in their own environment
People may say one thing and do another, so it is important to look at not only what people say but also what they do in order to get a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the situation. Contextual Inquiry is a method of observation that involves studying people in their real-world environment and inquiring about their experiences. It is important to approach the situation as a novice, while at the same time maintaining a clear focus on the design challenge, in order to gain the most useful insights.
A successful contextual inquiry requires a combination of active listening, thoughtful questioning, and careful observation to gain meaningful insights that can be applied to the design challenge.
Ethnographic research is a method of gathering information by observing people in their natural environment and asking questions about their experiences. It is important to approach the research as a novice and to keep the design challenge in mind while interacting with participants in order to get the most useful information.
The Mural contextual inquiry template offers a framework to define goals, interview users, and observe behavior in order to get an accurate overview of user experience in a given situation or scenario.
Writing a contextual inquiry requires careful preparation and planning. First, determine the goal of the inquiry and brainstorm questions with your team to ask during the investigation. Next, set expectations for participants, define roles and responsibilities, and plan the logistics of the inquiry. During the inquiry, ask questions, make observations, and take photos or add links for context. Finally, after the inquiry is complete, gather the key takeaways with your team and create action items.
When asking questions in a contextual inquiry, it is important to focus on the design challenge at hand. Ask questions that are open-ended, encouraging detailed responses. Make sure to ask about the participant’s experiences, feelings, and motivations. Also, look for patterns and ask follow-up questions. Additionally, it can be helpful to ask questions that focus on the participant’s environment, such as the tools they use and how they interact with them. Above all, make sure to ask questions that are relevant to the goal of the contextual inquiry.