Monday, 20 January 2014

Research Methods


Observation/ shadow analysis - This involves an observer to shadow and observe real life situations. It allows the researcher to gather more accurate information as what people say they do and what they actually do can sometimes be quite different.


Cultural probes/ user diaries – This is where you would examine and discover information relating to the habits, traditions, and beliefs of a society that maybe other don’t want you to know.

Role playing tools – This is where you would pretend to be someone else, especially as part of learning a new skill.

Focus groups - This is a group of people who have been brought together to discuss a particular subject in order to solve a problem or suggest ideas.


Workshops – Theses are rooms or buildings where things are made or repaired using machines and/or tools.

Archival research - An archive is a gathering of historical records, documents and objects related to the same subject and stored away safely. Practitioners may contribute to or use existing archives and exhibitions to inform the their research.

Narrative analysis – This is where you would analyse a story or a description of a series of events

Interviews - A meeting between two or more people in which someone is asked questions about themselves.

Divergent thinking - This is when a practitioner may think a little different and freer, thinking ‘outside the box.’ A practitioner may approach a concept with divergent thinking and create from this a mind map of ideas based around the topic.

Documentary forms - A film or television or radio programme that gives facts and information about a subject.

Questionnaires – This is a list of questions that several people are asked so that information can be collected about something.

Scenario building – The process of thinking through a description of possible actions or events.

Online community forums – An online situation or meeting in which people of the community can talk about a problem or matter especially of public interest

Statistical analysis - This is where the researcher compares various sets of data against each other through graphs, charts etc.

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