A method for supporting data collection in user research studies at domestic environments

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2011

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Öztoprak, Aydın

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This thesis analyzes data collection tools and methods in domestic environments for smart product development processes. The aim of the study is to create a method for supporting data collection studies in user research of smart products at domestic environments. The study examines the utilization of information and communication technologies in ethnographic data collection methods at domestic environments with a qualitative approach. Two case studies are conducted to understand and analyze the effects of custom designed data collection tools in user research studies conducted at domestic environments. The results of the study revealed that utilization of data collection equipment and methods that are customized to the characteristics of aims and objectives of user research studies, product characteristic and study participants’ own environment might lead to the possibility to increase number of study participants and decrease researchers’ presence in domestic environments. Additionally, it was found that, sensor kits and internal device logs are capable of supporting user research studies for the evaluation of products, however due to technical complexity and unpredictable contextual factors, triangulation of data collection methods and redundancy of data collection equipment are necessary.

Subject Keywords

Industrial design

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http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12613560/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/21111

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats

A. Öztoprak, “A method for supporting data collection in user research studies at domestic environments,” Ph.D. - Doctoral Program, Middle East Technical University, 2011.