The Moderator's Survival Guide: Handling Common, Tricky, and Sticky Situations in User Research
Author(s): Donna Tedesco (Author), Fiona Tranquada (Author)
- Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
- Publication Date: 21 Nov. 2013
- Edition: Illustrated
- Language: English
- Print length: 364 pages
- ISBN-10: 0124047009
- ISBN-13: 9780124047006
Book Description
The Moderator's Survival Guide is your indispensable resource for navigating the rocky shoals of your one-on-one user research sessions. Inside, you’ll find guidance for nearly 100 diverse situations (ranging from business-as-usual to tricky and sticky) that might occur during usability studies, contextual inquiries, or user interviews.
As a moderator, you are responsible for the well-being of the participant, your study, and your organization. You must be prepared for anything that may happen, from your technology failing to the participant quailing. Use this guide to identify your best next steps, react appropriately, and survive any challenges that comes your way.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"…guide to the moderating role played by researchers in product user research…Eighteen "survival stories" are included throughout the book, narrated by user researchers who have handled unexpected or awkward situations with study participants. Appendices consolidate recommendations of specific phrasing…" --ProtoView.com, April 2014
"This is a sample chapter from Donna Tedesco and Fiona Tranquada’s new book, The Moderator’s Survival Guide: Handling Common, Tricky, and Sticky Situations in User Research. 2014 Morgan Kaufmann." --UXmatters.com, April 7, 2014
Review
This book provides the tools you need for dealing with the common (and uncommon) situations you may encounter while moderating a user research session.
From the Back Cover
The Moderator's Survival Guide is your indispensable resource for navigating the rocky shoals of your one-on-one user research sessions. Inside, you’ll find guidance for nearly 100 diverse situations (ranging from business-as-usual to tricky and sticky) that might occur during usability studies, contextual inquiries, or user interviews including:
- Practical, field-tested, and actionable tips for what to do and say―and what NOT to do or say―in each situation.
- Key patterns and extensive examples to sharpen your approach to the commonplace and prepare you for the unlikely.
- Illustrative "survival stories" contributed by numerous professionals on the front lines of user research.
As a moderator, you are responsible for the well-being of the participant, your study, and your organization. You must be prepared for anything that may happen, from your technology failing to the participant quailing. Use this guide to identify your best next steps, react appropriately, and survive any challenges that comes your way.
About the Author
Donna Tedesco is a Senior User Experience Specialist with over ten years of user research experience. She has published and presented at local, national and international conferences, and is co-author with Bill Albert and Tom Tullis of the book, "Beyond the Usability Lab: Conducting Large-Scale Online User Experience Studies." Donna received a BS in Engineering Psychology/Human Factors from Tufts University School of Engineering and a MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley University.
Fiona Tranquada is a Senior Usability Consultant with over ten years of user research experience. She has published and presented at local and national conferences and is an active Board member for the Boston chapter of the User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA). Fiona received a BA in Professional Writing and Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon and an MS in Human Factors in Information Design from Bentley University.
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