Toolbox

Uncorking Their Stories: What I’ve Learned from Interviewing Authors

Moderators and authors have a lot in common, and no one knows this more than Mike Carlon. As the author of eight novels and a professional who has been involved in the qualitative marketing research business for a quarter of a century, Carlon lives these similarities firsthand. These insights were cemented after he started interviewing authors on the Uncorking a Story podcast and his researcher instincts kicked in, and he started documenting them. In this article, he shares insights into the five traits qualitative researchers and moderators share. […]

Travelwise

Pushing the Reset Button on Business Trips

After years and years of the same routine of traveling between cities and adjusting to different time zones, all while squeezing in analysis and drafting reports whenever she could, seasoned business traveler and qualitative researcher Susen Dunmire shares how breaking her norm helped her uncover ways to rejuvenate and revitalize. While previously she was usually drained by the end of the week, this article shares way that she was still energized and focused at the end of a multi-city travel week. […]

Book Reviews

Rethinking Users: How a Detailed Look at User Archetypes Can Change Your Outlook on EcoSystems by Michael Youngblood, Benjamin J. Chesluk, & Nadeem Haidary,BIS Publishers, 2021

Book reviewer Paula Rosecky, who is both a facilitator and coach, uses the context of a plane ride to share how Rethinking Users: How a Detailed Look at User Archetypes Can Change Your Outlook on EcoSystems, by Michael Youngblood, Benjamin J. Chesluk, and Nadeem Haidary, expands the reader’s view of user design. […]

Global

Usability Testing with Corner Store Owners in Pakistan: A How-To (and How-Not-To) Guide

When researching within the fast-and-loose world of corner store owners in Pakistan, Western design principles and User Experience research methodologies often do not apply. Issues such as cramped spaces in stores, cracked phone screens, dialect differences, and a target of technology novices can derail your research. Based on personal experience, Usama Waheed (co-founder at dli5) explains why many traditional UX techniques do not work in these situations and then shares UX methods he has developed to adapt to this market […]

Business Matters

Confidentiality Matters: Qualitative Best Practices

Data privacy is becoming increasingly important, and also increasingly confusing. The global head of compliance and quality for Cerner Enviza discusses best practices for maintaining confidentiality and also abiding by privacy laws when practicing qualitative research. The article includes advice on how to best handle any incidental disclosure by respondents. […]

Toolbox

Why is it So Hard to Rest?

This article by Dr. Isabeau Iqbal explores the benefits of rest and provides strategies for incorporating more rest into your days, even when you are rest-resistant or rest-averse, ultimately providing for better health and greater productivity. […]