Screening for crazy

Screening For Crazyand other tips for getting the right research participants

Laura Klein@lauraklein

[email protected]://www.usersknow.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

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http://usersknow.blogspot.com


You’re Talking To The Wrong People

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Does It Really Matter Who You Talk To?

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Sometimes


Understanding Users Vs Usability

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To understand your users, you need to talk to your users.

To understand usability, you need to test people LIKE your users.


Who To Recruit

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Talk to your real users & people like your real users in key ways.

If you don’t have users, create a persona that you think represents potential users and recruit people like that.


How To Recruit

@lauraklein

Create a short survey (screener) that will help narrow down whether the possible participant fits the persona.


Where To Recruit

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Post a link to the screener where you are likely to get qualified traffic.

•Craigslist•Facebook, Google, or LinkedIn Ads•Friends of friends•Twitter•Mechanical Turk•Local stores/gyms schools (if applicable)


Offer An Incentive

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A small incentive (between $5 and $50) can make your recruiting go MUCH faster.


Screener Tip #1

@lauraklein

Include disqualifying answers.

Example: How many pets do you own?__0 not interested in talking to non pet owners__1__2-4__5-10__10+ not interested in talking to crazy pet owners


Screener Tip #2

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Include fake answers to weed out people who just want the incentive.

Example: Which pet related sites have you used?__Petsmart__DogVacay__Jobs4Pets LIES!!!!!__WagHotels


Screener Tip #3

@lauraklein

Screen for crazy. Asking a short, open ended question gives you an idea of how the participant will express herself.

Example: Tell us about your favorite place to go with your pet and why you like it.

MY FAVS DOGGIE PLacE IS TEH cemETARy bcuz i LUV DEAD STUFF. No.


Screener Tip #4

@lauraklein

Don’t forget to ask for an email address so that you can contact the people who answer appropriately on the screener!


The Single Most Important Recruiting Resource Ever

@lauraklein

Ask good research participants for referrals to other people like them!


Questions?You know where to find me...

@[email protected]

http://www.usersknow.com






Exercise!

@lauraklein

Write a screener to recruit 5 of the following type of people:

•Experienced pet owner•Currently owns exactly 2 dogs•Does not own any other pets•Considers themselves average computer users•Lives within 30 miles of San Francisco•Mix of City and Suburbs•Not employed full time outside the house•Spends at least three hours/week doing activities with dogs•Not crazy


Technology

Screening for crazy