Cultural probes / diary studies

Also observations can tell you about what people do, but less about what they feel. What is really important to them and what just mundane? Cultural probes are one way to access environments that are difficult to observe directly and also to capture more of this 'felt life'.

Cultural probes (also known as diary studies) provide a way of gathering information about people and their activities.
Unlike direct observation (like usability testing or traditional field studies), the technique allows users to self-report.

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