The Self-Aware Researcher

Whenever I do user experience research – no matter the user, client, product, or method – I learn new ways to improve my research. Each experience helps fuel my deliberate practice of research skills.

As a moderator or an observer, the self-aware researcher benefits from the opportunity to plan, practice, review, and try again. Over time, moderating becomes smoother, plans more thorough, and analysis more targeted.

By researching yourself, you can improve your research skills and pursue the path from novice to master.

Transcript

1. #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword The Self-Aware Researcher Veronica Erb | 2014 IA Summit
2. #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword What is?
3. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword We speak for the users!
4. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword How well are we doing our work?
5. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Without feeling guilty about where we are.
6. #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Three steps
7. #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Why?
8. Step #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword 1. Gather Input
9. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Observe yourself Gather
10. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Listen to stories to practice moderating Gather
11. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Practice as much as you can Gather
12. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Listen to your recordings later Gather
13. Example #ias14 #selfaware [My recordings were] a signal to refresh and seek some input. Gather Lisa Fast @neoinsight
14. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Observe others Gather
15. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Get involved Gather
16. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be inspired Gather
17. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Do not judge Gather
18. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Ask for Observations Gather
19. Example #ias14 #selfaware Introspection is great and all, but one needs outside criticism to really improve one’s skills. Gather Dan Berlin @banderlin
20. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Ask for specific feedback: Liked Improve Anything else? Gather
21. Example #ias14 #selfaware Asking a lot of stupid questions of my research partner working on the statistical analysis. Gather Dana Chisnell @danachis
22. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword How to survive Gather
23. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Seek first to understand, and not to be understood. Gather Riff off one of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
24. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword I will feel my feelings Gather
25. Strategy Summary #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Observe yourself Observe others Ask for observations Survive! Gather
26. Step #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword 2. Experiment at 3 levels
27. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Project to project Experiment
28. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Phase to phase Experiment
29. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Course correct from phase to phase Experiment
30. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Being self- aware may mean fessing up. Experiment
31. Example #ias14 #selfaware I kept asking myself if this was the right thing to do… [T]he science of research can blend with the art of research. Experiment Anonymous
32. Result #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Scary, then empowering! Experiment
33. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Session to Session Experiment
34. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Run a pilot Experiment
35. Tactic #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Experiment with the last sessions Experiment
36. Strategy Summary #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Project to project Phase to phase Session to session Experiment
37. Step #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword 3. Customize it
38. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be intentional Customize
39. Example #ias14 #selfaware Basically everything is good enough until I need it right then. Customize Lisa Fast @neoinsight
40. Example #ias14 #selfaware I look for patterns in what other people do. Customize Matt Dingee @humancompanion
41. Strategy #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be yourself Customize
42. Strategy Summary #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be intentional Be yourself Customize
43. #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Why?
44. Perspective #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword We are responsible for our own growth! Why?
45. Result #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Though initially scary, it will make you brave Why?
46. Result #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Your research method and results will be better Why?
47. Result #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword You will speak the truth for the users and support your team Why?
48. #ias14 #selfaware @verbistheword Gather input Experiment Customize it
49. Veronica Erb designs, researches, illustrates, and writes code ! veronicaerb.com @verbistheword | #ias14 #selfaware