CONTEXTUAL INQUIRY (method)

Brief description

An approach to interviewing and observing people in their own environment. Places you in a person´s environment where you can inquire about his or her experiences in context as they are happening. Consequently, input comes directly from the people who have the most knowledge, saving you from making assumptions about how and why things are done. Opportunity to pay clear attention of what people say and do to get a clear picture of what really happens.

Step

Empathize, Prototype Improvement, Prototype Testing

Input

Research and Discovery Plan

Output

Understanding of users and stakeholders

Time

40 min to 1 hr. per contextual inquiry

Difficulty

3/5

People

1-3 (to execute)

Quick Guide

  • Identify a location and the people to be involved.
  • Prepare your questions and recording equipment.
  • Go to the site.
  • Introduce yourself and the purpose. Obtain consent.
  • Ask the participants to do tasks in a normal way.
  • Observe their actions in an unobtrusive manner.
  • Interject questions at opportune moments.
  • Record your finding in videos, photos and notes.
  • Thank each participant.

Benefits

  • Understanding of users and stakeholders
  • Reveals what people do and say.
  • Deepens your empathy for others.
  • Challenges your assumptions.
  • Builds credibility with stakeholders.

Helpful Tips

  • Ask people to do activities, not to just give you a tour.
  • Use more than one researcher to get multiple views.
  • Stay focus on your goals, yet open to discovery.

Application

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