CABS Research Assistance Training Notes

CABS Research Assistance Training Package - Module 5

Overview of Other Fact-Finding Methods

  • This module provides an overview of alternative fact-finding methods utilized in research.

Lecture Outline

  • Topics Covered:

    • Diary Study

    • Focus Group

    • Contextual Inquiry

Diary Study

Definition and Purpose of Diary Study

  • Diary Study: A qualitative research method used to record data over a designated period where participants log their activities or thoughts voluntarily.

  • Key Attributes:

    • Participants complete diaries on their own, guided by a framework for specific observations and data at designated times.

    • Aids in understanding behaviors, experiences, and attitudes in context, particularly over time.

  • Example Framework: Specific templates or guidelines provided to participants to log relevant entries.

Characteristics of Diary Studies

  • Cost-Efficiency:

    • Represents a low-cost method in terms of specialized equipment but incurs high costs concerning time investments for data collection and analysis.

  • Disadvantages:

    • Necessitates a long time period to gather adequate data.

    • Not suitable for emotive or productivity-intensive environments (e.g., paramedics logging daily activities).

  • Focus on Change Over Time

Applications of Diary Studies

Areas of Focus in Research

  • Useful for comprehending long-term behaviors and experiences:

    • Habits: Identifying when users engage in activities.

    • Usage Scenarios: Engaging participants in usability testing based on their activities.

    • Attitudes and Motivations: Understanding what drives participants' actions and their mental states.

    • Behavioral Changes: Monitoring how perceptions evolve over time and how loyal consumers are to brands.

    • Customer Journeys: Evaluating experiences across various service touchpoints and devices.

Broadness of Focus

  • Ranges from broad to narrowly targeted studies:

    • Specific Thing: All interactions regarding a particular subject.

    • General Behavior: General user behavior patterns.

    • Specific Activity: Understanding details around certain activities.

    • Mind-sets/Contexts: Capturing attitudes under varying moods and social settings.

Data Capture Techniques in Diary Studies

  • Non-Verbal Cues: Utilizing photos or visual aids to enhance contextual understanding of entries.

Practical Activity: Compare and Contrast

  • Assigned Task: Compare methods between Diary Study, Interviews, and Observations for various scenarios:

    • Expenditure on luxury items

    • Household recycling practices

    • Health routines

    • Formats for discovery:

    • Observation: State activities observed (2-3) by whom and where.

    • Interview: Discuss with whom and what topics.

    • Diary Study: Log what, by whom, and over what duration.

Procedure for Conducting Diary Studies

General Steps for Implementation

  1. Planning & Preparation: Outline study timeline and select participants, typically 10-20 diverse individuals.

  2. Pre-Study Briefing: Introduce participants to study aims and data logging expectations.

  3. Logging Period: Data collection phase where participants actively log entries.

  4. Post-Study Interview: Follow-up discussions to elaborate on diary entries.

Detailed Step 1: Planning & Preparation

  • Outline a timeline (often spanning weeks).

  • Identify diverse participants, guide their recruitment, and prepare clear instructions with examples.

  • Select appropriate diary formats (e.g., paper, social media, email) based on research needs and participant preferences.

Step 2: Pre-Study Briefing

  • Importance: Crucial for securing quality data from participants.

  • Components:

    • Discuss aims, expectations, tools for logging entries, and a mock practice with feedback.

Step 3: Logging Period

  • Recommended initial check-ins during logging to encourage accountability and clarify doubts.[every two days].

  • Option for practice days for users to familiarize themselves with tools.

Step 4: Post Study Interview

  • Collect and review participant data.

  • Conduct follow-up interviews for clarification, focusing on interesting or unclear entries.

Focus Group

Definition and Purpose

  • Focus Group: A research method designed to gather insights into social norms and community perspectives through moderated group discussions.

    • Effective for socio-behavioral research aimed at developing services that meet group needs.

  • Group conversations revolve around open-ended questions led by a moderator, while a secondary researcher records insights.

Differences Between Focus Groups and Interviews

Criteria

Focus Groups

Interviews

Appropriate for

Understanding group norms

Gathering individual perspectives

Data Strength

Rapid insights on norms

In-depth insights on feelings

Data Collection in Focus Groups

  • Similar types of data as interviews: taped recordings, transcripts, note-taking.

  • Purpose of analysis: Identify salient themes and contextual nuances from focus groups.

Focus Group Preparation and Conducting

  • Setup: Typically involves 6-10 participants, recording equipment, and a 1-2 hour duration with breaks planned biannually.

  • Preparation: Create a discussion guide, establish ground rules, and ensure participant comfort with environment and tools.

Best Practices for Focus Groups

  • Foster a Relaxed Atmosphere: Maintain friendliness, establish rapport, and create a respectful environment.

    • Examples of ground rules include confidentiality and mutual respect among participants.

Handling Different Participant Types

  • Intervention Techniques: Strategies for moderating talkative, interrupting, aggressive, or shy participants by redirecting discussions and encouraging balanced participation.

Contextual Inquiry

Definition and Purpose

  • Contextual Inquiry: A field research method focused on observing and discussing with individuals in their natural work environment.

    • Captures unanticipated behaviors and details about user interaction with complex systems.

  • Best for understanding interactions and processes that may not surface in interviews or basic observations.

Key Principles

  1. Context: View participants in their natural environments.

  2. Partnership: Researcher and participant work collaboratively, directing discussions.

  3. Interpretation: Create shared interpretations based on observations for accurate insight gathering.

  4. Focus: Direct questions based on research goals and observed behavior.

Procedure for Contextual Inquiry

  1. Introduction: Establish rapport and clarify session objectives.

  2. Transition: Move from introductions to direct observations.

  3. Contextual Interview: Observe and discuss participant activities iteratively.

  4. Wrap-up: Summarize findings and clarify any remaining questions with the participant.

Practice Activity

  • Divide into groups to develop structured diary entry logs, including instructions for logging and expectations for reflective entries.