Since I’ve been at MESSAGEFIRST I have had the opportunity to work on various projects that involved user research, customer interviews and usability testing.
In the Fall of last year we started developing an application, that we call Reframer, to help us sort through the unstructured data we were capturing from these sessions. It’s been quite a process, as it can be when developing any product from scratch, but here are a few things I noted on the “old ways” of how we did things and how we are moving forward.
Old Research Method
- Noting observations in a spreadsheet
- Multiple observers with their own spreadsheet which leads us to combine all the data into one main spreadsheet
- If not combined we had difficulty analyzing data from all observers with the multiple spreadsheets
- When combined it was not possible to update or edit the same spreadsheet with multiple users at the same time…unless we transferred everything into Google Docs which we have done.
- Tagging was fairly easy but no way to see relationships right away
Overall thought: Working in spreadsheets was not ideal, but it gets the job done.
New Research Method through Reframer
- Noting observations, descriptors (tags), judgements, concepts and ratings in a web app
- Being able to view observations from multiple users in one space for all your sessions or participants
- Ability to see relationships with your data as observations are tagged
- Being a step closer to setting up a controlled vocabulary and a library of potential descriptors
- Prioritizing our concepts based on our rating of importance
- Being able to be out of the office and jump into Reframer and see observations for a study that is currently in progress
Overall thought: I feel I can view my data in a different way that seems a little clearer. It helps me learn how to note observations in a smarter way to help automate the analysis process.
I like to remind myself that this new application is in beta version. My imagination wants to have all the features and functionality built in overnight… and I have to come to terms with remembering that is not possible:-). Besides there is really no end to improving a product.
Anyone out there doing research should take a look at this app. Tell me, does it make it easier? How is your research style the same or how does it differ? If you haven’t done so already , sign up, play around and share your ideas.
Register at reframerapp.com
