This paper argues that the methods and methodologies used to conduct user research often
provide a singular view of the user. It aims to demonstrate that by combining the strengths
of three different research methodologies into a structured, correlative research platform
we can create a rich, more holistic understanding of our users. Using a three-tiered
methodological approach to research the cancer patient experience, we investigated
patient anxiety and the emotional impact that curative radiation therapy has on these
individuals. Our methodology, comprised of methods taken from quantitative, qualitative,
and design research approaches, was designed to construct a research platform that would
allow us to gather quantifiable data about our patient population while also using more
qualitative approaches to gain a deeper understanding of the individuals’ patient
experience. We used patient questionnaires as our quantitative method, user observations
and interviews as our qualitative methods, and design probe kits as our design method.
Each method was chosen because of its ability to provide us with a different perspective on
the patients’ clinical experience. By structuring these methods around the same shared
research question, we were able to find correlative relationships between the data collected
from each, despite their different methodological approaches. This paper demonstrates that
our three-tiered methodology provides a deep understanding of the user experience, from a
systems level view down to that of the patient. In conclusion, this paper argues that it is
important for design researches to select methods that build upon each other and provide
different perspectives of the user, in order to create a holistic understanding of the user
experience.
DRS 2012 Bangkok
