Fly On The Wall
“Fly on the wall” is a user research method in which the researcher observes users in their natural environment without interacting with them. The researcher acts as an invisible observer, or a “fly on the wall,” and simply observes the users’ behavior, actions, and interactions with the product or service. This method allows the researcher to gather rich and unbiased data on how users actually use the product or service, rather than relying on self-reported information which may be affected by social desirability bias.
The research can be done in-person or remotely, it’s important to keep in mind that if it’s done remotely, the researcher should give the user a heads up, and get the user’s consent to be observed.
This method can be useful for understanding how users interact with a product or service in real-world situations, and can provide valuable insights into user needs, pain points, and areas for improvement.
Additional Resources:
+ Fly on the Wall in User Research | Think Design
+ Fly-on-the-Wall Observation | LUMA Institute (luma-institute.com)
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