screening for crazy

Screening For Crazyand other tips for getting the right research participants

Laura Klein@lauraklein

laura@usersknow.comhttp://www.usersknow.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

You’re Talking To The Wrong People

@lauraklein

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Does It Really Matter Who You Talk To?

@lauraklein

Sometimes

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Understanding Users Vs Usability

@lauraklein

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

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Who To Recruit

@lauraklein

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.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

How To Recruit

@lauraklein

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Where To Recruit

@lauraklein

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)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Offer An Incentive

@lauraklein

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Screener Tip #2

@lauraklein

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

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.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

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!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Single Most Important Recruiting Resource Ever

@lauraklein

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Questions?You know where to find me...

@laurakleinlaura@usersknow.com

http://www.usersknow.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

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

Wednesday, December 5, 2012