Diary Studies

Diary studies involve participants recording their experiences and interactions with a product or service over a certain period of time. Participants keep a diary of their activities, thoughts, and feelings related to the product or service being studied.

When to use

When to use: Diary studies are useful for gaining insights into how users interact with a product or service in their natural environment. They can help identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.

Pros

  • Provide in-depth and detailed information about users’ experiences over time
  • Allow researchers to gain insight into user behavior in a natural setting
  • Help identify areas for improvement in a product or service

Cons

  • Participants may not be consistent in recording their experiences
  • May be difficult to recruit participants who are willing to commit to recording their experiences over an extended period of time
  • Data analysis can be time-consuming and labor-intensive

Learn more in the User Research: Comprehensive Guide article.

© Aleks Petrov, 2023
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