• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Mind Mapping
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. Field Study
beginnerobserve
Field StudyDive into the user's life.
1 – 2 d2+ Participantsworkshopresearchusers
+2
Summary
Observe users in their natural environment to gain insights into their behavior, preferences, obstacles, and more. Additionally, within field studies, specific questions can be asked within these social contexts. The observations help to understand how potential digital products and services could best be integrated into the daily lives of the users.
Step-by-step
  1. Find people in the user group who agree to be observed. Ideally, they also agree to be filmed during the observation so that the team conducting the observation can also analyze statements and behavior after the fact or discuss them with others. There is also the opportunity to conduct field research as a silent observer ("fly on the wall”). In this case, the user is not briefed, interfered with in his processes, or subsequently questioned. The observers obtain their overall impression of the situation.
  2. Guide the selected participants one by one through the upcoming day's schedule. Make sure that they feel comfortable and are not influenced so that the data to be obtained and the behavior of the users are as realistic as possible.
  3. To document the observations during the field study, the person conducting the study should have a notepad or similar at hand. The additional documentation with a camera is especially important if the study is conducted by only one person. The handwritten notes can be supplemented afterward by viewing the video material. Please keep in mind: participants may feel uncomfortable or even nervous with cameras pointed at them, which in turn may lead to unnatural behavior. Therefore, if possible, make sure to document inconspicuously.
  4. Arriving at the location of the Field Study, they again give the users a short introduce. In this context, point out to them that they should behave as they normally do. Retreat into the background and be a silent observer.
What you need
  • Camera
  • Paper
  • Pen
  • Declaration of consent for documenting with video camera (optional)
External resources
  • 4 Steps to Field Studies with Users
    by NNgroup
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
HEART Frameworkstrategize
1+ Participants
35 – 65 min

Reflect on metrics and signals.

User Storiesstrategize
2+ Participants
5 – 15 min

Describe what requirements a task must fulfil from the user's perspective.

SCAMPERideate
1+ Participants
50 – 85 min

Stimulate new ideas and challenge existing ones.

Challenge Assumptionsobserve
1+ Participants
60 – 120 min

Learn about your assumptions and how you can overcome them to discuss new, innovative solutions.

Mobile Diariesobserve
5+ Participants
weeks – months

Get to know the users' personal, daily life by having the users themselves document their activities.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2023.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
This website uses cookies to give you the best, most relevant experience. Using this website means you’re OK with this. You can change which cookies are set at any time – and find out more about them in our Cookie Policy.