In the right situations, remote research can be a very time- and cost-effective means of gathering user experience data. Remote research broadens the pool of subjects while adding environmental variables which, while being difficult to work through technically, can lead to useful improvements in your designs. In some cases, remote research can enable quick stakeholder sign-off by confirming assumptions.
Juliette Melton gives practical advice on when and how to use remote research. You can recruit research subjects beyond your local area, but the subjects must be screened. Juliette addresses several technical issues, including screen-sharing software, audio set-up, recording, and whether to keep the subject on the line during technical difficulties. She also discusses some survey tools .
In a case study, Melton illustrates how valuable it can be to remotely check on user behavior. Knowing what users do and don't do on their own systems at home, at the office, or in the field can improve the user experience and strengthen the customer relationship.
Juliette Melton is principal of Deluxify User Experience, a user experience research consultancy in San Francisco. Her background in web development and product management give her a practical perspective on how to effectively conduct research. She studies and advocates balanced approaches to building products based on understanding user preferences and organizational realities. Juliette holds a master's degree in education from the Technology, Innovation, and Education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she focused on cognitive models for developing networked learning applications.
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