Timeline & Location

April 12 - 15, 2022

Phoenix

Shadowing Plan Overview

Conduct ethnographic research, observing how housekeepers behave while using the Turn Tool. Insights from this exercise will be used to provide the basis for further quantitative research. Several factors could potentially impact the way users use our product that we didn’t take into consideration while we were designing it.

<aside> 💡 “The key principle of shadowing is that the researcher acts as an observer only. They are not to interfere with the research subject (participant) as that interference might change the way that the subject behaves in any given circumstance.”

</aside>

Strategy

  1. Before shadowing occurs – Introduce intent and strategy. Explain my role as an unbiased observer that is not present to interfere, impede, or judge (because I usually would not be there on a regular day and do not want my presence to affect the research results). Participants may be interviewed or involved in group discussions to learn more about their needs.
    1. ‘Just to let you know, I cannot interact with you during the shadowing session, so pretend I’m not here.’
  2. During shadowing – the shadow develops a list of questions that are then posed to the participant when shadowing is complete.
  3. During shadowing – the shadow works with a commentator who explains what is being observed throughout the study. This is most often used when the shadow is facing a complex situation where a full explanation (or training) has not been available before shadowing commences.
  4. After shadowing - ask any questions generated while shadowing. Discuss key observations.

Media for Unbiased Observations

Intentions to Learn: