Primary research involves directly interacting with users to understand their behaviors and problems in their own context. Secondary research reviews existing public studies and literature on a topic. Qualitative research uses in-depth interviews and observations of small samples to gain a deep understanding, while quantitative research uses larger surveys and questionnaires to reach conclusions. Both methods are important for research.

1. Doing Research

8. Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

9. Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry Learning context, habits, rituals, priorities, process and behavior

10. We are culturally different Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

11. We are culturally different Behaviors can be culturally different. Observing them can help us avoid mistakes and build familiar interactions Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

12. We are creative!! Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

13. We are creative!! We fulfill our desires with what we have!! Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

14. Go to users’ context Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

15. Behave as a student Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

16. Talk to them Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

17. Talk to them, but in their language Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

18. Watch, listen and Observe Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

19. Understand behavior, practices, schedule and THEM Watch, listen and Observe Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

20. Understand their likes and dislikes Understand behavior, practices, schedule and THEM Watch, listen and Observe Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

21. Collect stories, inspiration & eventually insights from users Understand their likes and dislikes Understand behavior, practices, schedule and THEM Watch, listen and Observe Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

22. Walk into users’ shoe Collect stories, inspiration & eventually insights from users Understand their likes and dislikes Understand behavior, practices, schedule and THEM Watch, listen and Observe Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

23. Observation can sharpen our awareness of how people respond to particular environment, arrangement and elements Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

24. People adapt to the environment & surroundings and behave accordingly Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

25. People adapt to the environment & surroundings and behave accordingly These behavior may have subtle cues and design opportunities Qualitative Research Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

26. Ask questions to yourself Source: human centered design toolkit Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

32. Points to remember while conducting research

33. Take permission from users’ to conduct the interview Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

34. Don’t conduct interviews in group Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

35. Don’t let other influence user’s opinion Don’t conduct interviews in group Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

36. 2-3 researchers to conduct interview Don’t conduct interviews in group Don’t let other influence user’s opinion Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

37. Understand relationship between people, products, places and environment Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

38. Document every step of your research Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

39. Take video, audio and notes Qualitative Research – Curiosity to context Deeper understanding – user studies, contextual inquiry

40. These studies help us understand people’s need in given context and hence the opportunities of design

41. Gather pivotal insights and inspiration

42. Analysis and Interpretations Understanding and analyzing the research Analysis and Interpretations become a significant source of insights and inspirations

43. Identify needs Gather pivotal insights and inspiration

44. Concrete needs found in research are transformed into high level insights Identify needs Gather pivotal insights and inspiration

45. Prioritize gather insights and needs Concrete needs found in research are transformed into high level insights Identify needs Gather pivotal insights and inspiration

46. Prof. Keyur Sorathia, Dept. of Design, Indian Institute of Technology - Guwahati