Universal Methods of Design

RESEARCH METHOD

76 Shadowing

Shadowing provides key insight into a participant’s activities and decision patterns as the researcher follows him or her closely throughout his or her daily routines.

Shadowing is an observational method that involves tracking someone in his or her role to experience the situations of his or her daily life or work in parallel with him or her, collecting insights through the detailed nuance of firsthand, real-time exposure. Where possible, shadowing observations should be well documented, with photographs, detailed notes and sketches, or audio.

As it is primarily intended to help the designer-researcher gain a true ...