Benefits - Remote usability testing doesn't require having a physical facility. - Fit many sessions into a single day - Iterate quickly - Convenience for participants—requires less effort for participants than in-person interviews - There are fewer no-shows with remote research, and it's easier to adjust when there are no-shows since you're not going on location. Cons - Doesn't work well for [[Ethnographic research]] or [[Contextual inquiry]]. Instead, do more product-focussed research when you can’t get out and into people’s environments. Questions to ask before doing remote research: - How important is it that we observe the participant's environment? - Do we need to see how they interact with others or with other objects/systems? - How comfortable are participants with technology? Use screener and post-study questions wisely - When screening participants, include one or two open questions to help assess their communication skills and determine whether they are willing to share more than basic responses. - Post-study questions can be used to help verify screener answers (people aren't always honest when answering screener questions). Tips for doing remote interviews - Do a practice run and plan ahead of technical difficulties - Be engaged. Don't try to multi-task during an interview. If the research isn't important enough for your full attention, don't do it at all. - Turn on the web cam. Empathizing with people over a computer screen is difficult. Being able to see each other has a huge impact. - Don't rely on memory recall. Record the call. Get permission beforehand, even if it's not legally required. - Emphasize screen sharing. Have the participant show you what they're doing. This will help their [[Contextual recall]], and give you great insights into their experience, as well as show you interesting ways they're using your product. ## References [[Jess Lewes]]. “How to Recruit for and Run Remote User Testing.” *Optimal Workshop*, 22 Feb. 2018, [blog.optimalworkshop.com/how-to-recruit-for-and-run-remote-user-testing/](http://blog.optimalworkshop.com/how-to-recruit-for-and-run-remote-user-testing/). Accessed 31 Mar. 2020. [[Ashlea McKay]]. “Ready for Take-Off: Best Practices for Creating and Launching Remote User Research Studies.” *Optimal Workshop*, 30 Nov. 2017, [blog.optimalworkshop.com/ready-for-take-off-best-practices-for-creating-and-launching-remote-user-research-studies/](http://blog.optimalworkshop.com/ready-for-take-off-best-practices-for-creating-and-launching-remote-user-research-studies/). Accessed 31 Mar. 2020. Alannah. “5 Things to Tick off before Launching a Remote Card Sort.” *Optimal Workshop*, 24 Aug. 2017, [blog.optimalworkshop.com/5-things-to-tick-off-before-launching-a-remote-card-sort/](http://blog.optimalworkshop.com/5-things-to-tick-off-before-launching-a-remote-card-sort/). Accessed 31 Mar. 2020. [[Lindsey Renee]]. “How to Run Remote User Research (like a Boss!).” *Medium*, 14 May 2018, [medium.com/mixed-methods/how-to-run-remote-user-research-like-a-boss-b3729954f03](http://medium.com/mixed-methods/how-to-run-remote-user-research-like-a-boss-b3729954f03). Accessed 31 Mar. 2020. [[Kate Rutter]], and [[Laura Klein]]. “Remote User Research.” *What Is Wrong with UX*, 7 Apr. 2020, [wiwwux.libsyn.com/remote-user-research](http://wiwwux.libsyn.com/remote-user-research). Accessed 9 Apr. 2020. Podcast.