This document provides an overview of diary studies as a method for studying people in their natural environments. It explains that diary studies yield more objective and generalizable data than many workplace methods as they are less intrusive. The document then outlines how diary studies typically work, including meeting with participants, informing them of what to do, conducting daily interviews, concluding when enough data is collected, and repeating the process with other participants. It provides tips for having a clear focus, selecting and recruiting participants, creating fieldwork materials, planning and executing interviews, looking for patterns and insights, and summarizing findings to make them useful. The document recommends diary studies last less than two weeks or involve less than five interview hours per participant and stresses the importance of
7. A method for studying people in their own environments “... the diary study... is intended for use in the workplace, but... yields data that are more objective and more generalizable than many workplace-oriented methods.” (Rieman, 1993)
12. How It (Usually) Works 1. Meet Participant 2. Inform P What to Do 3. Interview P at Daily(ish) Intervals 4. Conclude When there’s Enough Data 5. Rinse and Repeat with Other Ps
Lab-based – objective, but not contextual, contrived, generalizableEthnography, Workplace-based methods – contextual, but subjective, real systems
Minimizes the Hawthorne EffectParticipants improve an aspect of their behaviour simply because they’re being observed
Observable behaviourDiary Study entries provide a “HOOK” to ask more targeted interview questions.So, Good interview Q’s + Diary Study Entries= Quality Datae.g. image search – Mexican dish – google images
connect back with “having a focus” and give example: e.g. if doing a diary study on “people who have pets” for a client who is setting up an online pet store.
Diary Form, Interview Questionaire, Consent Form, Information Sheet, Participant’s Address and Contact Details