Luella Paine - How to run a multi-country qualitative study and keep your sanity

When I led a global qualitative UX research project earlier this year, on paper it seemed like one of our typical projects: 50 participants, 60-minute remotely moderated one-on-one interviews and a straightforward research topic. But with participants in seven countries, across 16 time zones and with many non-native English speakers, this project proved to be quite different. This presentation discusses some of the challenges of conducting a multi-country qualitative study including recruitment, scheduling, logistics and study design. Oh, and it helps if you don’t try to move house at the same time!

Transcript

1. Informe d decision s Design Research 2022 How to run a multi-country qualitative study and keep your sanity
2. Hi there…
3. Luella Sean Tony NEW PROJECT
4. What’s covered? ✓Project brief Final thoughts ✓ Challenges ✓ 1. Scheduling 2. Recruitment 3. Language 4. Interviews
5. The brief ✓50 interviews Coders ✓ 7 countries ✓ 16 time zones ✓ Non-English backgrounds ✓
6. Scheduling
7. Project planning ✓Map compatible times Specify times in briefs ✓ Avoid flexibility ✓ How many moderators? ✓
8. Only 7 rooms to go! My office
9. Recruitment
10. Online platforms ✓Do your research Can they deliver? ✓ Plan B? And C? ✓ Specify available times ✓
11. Local recruiters ✓Allow extra time How best to communicate? ✓ Am I being clear? ✓ Expect some glitches ✓
12. Man with a van Are we there yet?
13. Language
14. Language barriers ✓Plain English briefs Consider translations ✓ Videos to check English competency ✓
15. Prep for interviews Simple mod guides ✓ Consider using interpreters ✓ Adjust sessions for interpreters ✓
16. Interviews
17. Interview challenges ✓Remote fidelity Moderator fatigue ✓ Participant fatigue ✓
18. Conducting interviews ✓Review mod guides More down time ✓ Fewer per day ✓
19. Final thoughts…
20. Home, sweet home Our new backyard
21. Informe d decision s Thank You