In this presentation, we trace and historicize two of the most common contextual research methods: Participant Observation and Contextual Inquiry. In doing so, we describe how these methods have evolved, describe the need for these methods to support Experience Design research, and make the case for interdisciplinary collaboration through clarifying these practices. Presented by Liza Potts and Gerianne Bartocci.

1. <methods>Experience Design</methods> Liza Potts, Ph.D.Assistant ProfessorCo-Director, CeME LabOld Dominion Universitylpotts@odu.edu Gerianne BartocciPrincipal AnthropologistResearch & StrategyElectronic Inkgkbartocci@gmail.com

2. Overview Move towards interdisciplinary collaboration through: Historicizing contextual research methods Deflecting micro-methods Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration

3. Experience Design Experience design is an interdisciplinary exercise Contextual research methods are vital to the success of experience design An experience is an ecosystem – not one interface etc

4. Participant Observation 1 Native Perspective/Bottom Up Mentality Context 3 Situational Flexibility 2 1 - From: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DlcDEgLnIhE/Sf5steWbB4I/AAAAAAAABK0/0XhPKm8huu4/s400/malinowski2.JPG 2 – From: http://www.sil.org/~headlandt/graphics/cycle.jpg 3 – From: http://aafke.isweg.nl/homepage/show/pagina.php?paginaid=76868

5. Contextual Inquiry 2 1 Observation 3 Interview Context 1 - From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabinet/53738006/ 2 – From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cabinet/53737660/ 3 – From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maureenhanratty/3393735654/

6. Various Micro-Methods

7. Branding Disciplines Methods historically used to brand disciplines Collaboration hindered byre-branding methods Limits communication Creates confusion Value of disciplines lies in the theoretical interpretations ofdata and not with methodsthat can be shared by all

8. Experience Design Experience design is an interdisciplinary exercise Contextual research methods are vital to the success of experience design An experience is an ecosystem – not one interface etc

9. Future Work Comprehensive archeology of contextual research Understand similarities/differences withincontextual research Find patterns that define contextual research across disciplines Define a more common language to unite our work and provide more opportunities to collaborate across disciplines

10. Thank you Liza Potts, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Co-Director, CeME Lab Old Dominion University lpotts@odu.edu Gerianne BartocciPrincipal AnthropologistResearch & StrategyElectronic Inkgkbartocci@gmail.com