Field studies

During a field study representative users are observed as they do what they would normally do at the location in which they would normally use the future product. Those who conduct the field study, the 'researchers', step out of meeting rooms and get their feet dirty in an effort to understand the true habits, needs and fears of users. These may very well be different from the habits, needs and fears as expressed during interviews.

Since field studies can take the researchers deep into users' territory, a clear protocol and code of conduct is required. Issues with security and confidentiality issues are covered. Although users may feel observed during a field study, a researcher can become a fly on the wall when the user is interrupted by triggers such as a phone call, an instant message or a colleague that walks in. These are moments of truth that the observer must cherish.

It is often useful to have the field studies preceded by telephone interviews. This helps to identify focal areas for the field work, but also to select users for observation. Average users are not necessarily the most interesting. Extreme users often are.