The Self-Aware Researcher, at Midwest UX 2014

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.

Come to this presentation to consider how, by researching yourself, you can improve your research skills and pursue the path from novice to master.

http://2014.midwestuxconference.com/speakers/veronica-erb.html

Transcript

1. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword The Self-Aware Researcher Veronica Erb | Midwest UX 2014
2. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword What is?
3. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword We speak for the users!
4. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword How well are we doing our work?
5. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Without feeling guilty about where we are.
6. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Three parts
7. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Other researchers
8. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Why?
9. Part #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword 1. Gather
10. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword ! Observe yourself Three angles Gather
11. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Listen to stories to practice moderating Gather
12. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Practice as much as you can Gather
13. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Listen to your recordings later Gather
14. Example #mwux14 #selfaware [My recordings were] a signal to refresh and seek some input. Gather Lisa Fast @neoinsight
15. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Observe others Gather
16. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Get involved Gather
17. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Do not judge Gather
18. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be inspired Gather
19. Example #mwux14 #selfaware Asking a lot of stupid questions of my research partner working on the statistical analysis. Gather Dana Chisnell @danachis
20. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Ask for Observations Gather
21. Example #mwux14 #selfaware Introspection is great and all, but one needs outside criticism to really improve one’s skills. Gather Dan Berlin @banderlin
22. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Ask for specific feedback: Liked Improve Anything else? Gather
23. Tactic #mwux14 #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 #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword I will feel my feelings Gather
25. Strategy Summary #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Observe yourself Observe others Ask for observations Gather
26. Part #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword 2. Experiment 3 levels
27. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Project to project Experiment
28. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword If something goes wrong, fix it in the next project. Experiment
29. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Phase to phase Experiment
30. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Course correct from phase to phase Experiment
31. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Being self- aware may mean fessing up. Experiment
32. Example #mwux14 #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 Cheryl (Anonymous)
33. Result #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Scary, then empowering! Experiment
34. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Session to Session Experiment
35. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Run a pilot Experiment
36. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Experiment with the ends Experiment
37. Strategy Summary #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Project to project Phase to phase Session to session Experiment
38. Part #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword 3. Customize
39. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword You are your own best researcher. Customize
40. Example #mwux14 #selfaware Let me introduce you to Jackie. She can help with quantitative research. Customize Jill (Anonymous)
41. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be intentional Customize
42. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Look at now Customize
43. Example #mwux14 #selfaware Basically everything is good enough until I need it right then. Customize Lisa Fast @neoinsight
44. Tactic #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Look into the future Customize
45. Example #mwux14 #selfaware I look for patterns in what other people do. Customize Matt Dingee @humancompanion
46. Strategy #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be yourself Customize
47. Strategy Summary #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Be intentional Be yourself Customize
48. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Why?
49. Perspective #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword We are responsible for our own growth! Why?
50. Result #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Though initially scary, it will make you brave Why?
51. Result #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Why? Your research method and results will be better
52. Result #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword You will speak the truth for the users and support your team Why?
53. #mwux14 #selfaware @verbistheword Gather Experiment Customize
54. Veronica Erb designs, researches, illustrates, and writes code ! veronicaerb.com @verbistheword | #mwux14 #selfaware