AheadEXAMPLE 01
Show that answers contribute to personalisation
Ahead acknowledges that it is learning from a user’s answers. The example illustrates how perceived attention to input can influence the care someone gives it.
Hawthorne Effect
Being observed can change behaviour.
01 / UNDERSTAND
The idea
People may behave differently when they know they are part of a study. The term covers a complicated and debated set of explanations rather than one predictable effect. Reduce pressure and compare findings with other evidence.
People may alter behaviour when they know it is being observed or evaluated. A usability participant might read instructions more carefully than usual or describe an intention they will not follow later. Treat observation conditions as part of the evidence. Compare what people say with task behaviour and other relevant signals.
02 / RECOGNISE
See it in real products.
Examples of how the principle can appear in an interface.
03 / CONNECT
Why it matters.
Observation can influence what people do and how carefully they answer. Record the conditions of a study and avoid treating stated enthusiasm as guaranteed future use.
Possible influences to investigate, rather than guaranteed outcomes for every product.
04 / APPLY
Put it into practice.
- 01
Avoid signalling a preferred answer
- 02
Use familiar task conditions
- 03
Triangulate with other evidence
05 / EXPLORE WITH UPSLIDE
Apply it with Upslide.
Use a practical guide, read a deeper explanation.
The SaaS Redesign Research Framework
Plan validation with awareness that observation can change how people work.
UX Research Methods: Practical Guide for SaaS Teams
8 mins readChoose a research method by the uncertainty you need to resolve and plan what would challenge the hypothesis.
CONNECT THE IDEAS
Related principles
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