Field studies and diary studies
are two exploratory research methods
that allow us to collect information
about a user and their context of use.
This is why we refer to both methods as context methods.
So when should you use each?
First it's important to understand what they are.
In a field study,
we observe the user in their own location
as they work on their own activities uninterrupted.
We record what the user is doing by taking notes.
And we might also video record
or take photographs to document the behavior
within that environment.
After the observation is over,
we may conduct an interview to learn more
about the rationale behind certain things we've observed.
In a diary study,
a participant records their thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors over a period of time.
The researcher may prepare some prompts
for the participant to answer at intervals
throughout the diary study or communicate with a participant
during the study by asking follow-up questions.
In some diary studies,
participants might video record themselves
or provide photographs or screenshots
alongside any text-based responses.
Although both methods give you a view
of the user's context of use,
There are distinct differences in what kind
of data we're collecting and the limitations of that data.
in a field study we collect predominantly behavioral data
because we are present in the user's environment,
We can collect information about the user's behavior
and their environment very easily
and accurately.
In a diary study,
participants self-report their behavior.
Self-reported behavior may be less accurate
or incomplete compared to observed behavior.
Additionally, it's harder to gather lots
of information about the user's environment
by using a diary study.
In diary studies,
we collect attitudinal data.
Participants share their thoughts
and feelings and reported behavior
which are all examples of attitudinal data.
We do this over a longer period
of time than a field study typically
so we can learn how the experience changes over time.
So field studies collect predominantly behavioral data,
diary studies collect predominantly attitudinal data.
Field studies are typically shorter
and diary studies are typically longer studies.
In addition to the types of data that we collect
from both these methods,
the limitations of these research
methods are also different.
When we observe people,
they may do things differently
because they're conscious of us observing them.
This is known as the observer effect
or the Hawthorne Effect.
And it's one of the main limitations of field studies.
We can try to minimize the effect by observing
for longer periods of time,
not having obvious recording equipment,
and making the participant comfortable
with the purpose of the observation.
Diary studies have different limitations.
If participants are completing diary study entries
after an event has happened,
then the entry may be subject to recall bias
as participants may not remember the exact details
of the event they're supposed to be reporting on.
Diary study participants might also selectively
report certain things and neglect to mention other items
and they may experience fatigue
or boredom with reporting over longer periods of time.
We can minimize these effects
by asking people to report entries as events happen.
And we might also create cutoff points
where entries must be reported by
in order to receive payment.
We can also make sure to check
in with participants regularly
and provide regular incentives for submitting entries.
So now we've covered these differences.
How do we choose which method to use?
Since field studies collect behavioral data
and information about the environment,
you should run this type of study
if you want to know what a user's environment
actually looks like and how that environment shapes
how tasks are done.
Since diary studies can run over longer periods of time
and allow participants to share their thoughts and feelings,
you should conduct a diary study
when you want to know what users are doing and thinking
over time and how the user experience changes over time.
You can learn more about both these methods
and other qualitative research methods
in our five day course, the Qualitative Research Series.