Through remote research, we’ve interviewed many types of user groups including teachers, parents, gamers, and cyber security specialists.

While it’s not a huge issue, it does mean that some elements in the research may not be covered and delays the delivery of the overall research.

Many times the key section of the interface, which would be built to always be displayed above the fold, is now beyond the fold both horizontally and vertically.

Fortunately, the research is not impacted too much – depending on the prototype and the research questions. What this does mean is that usability issues that stem from users not seeing a feature because of the screen size, have to be discarded because they have no merit.

This takes up time in the interviews as your user may have to scroll to search for the feature they would normally see. It also takes up time in the analysis, as you have to determine whether the user could not find the feature based on the resolution issue or for genuine usability issues.

It’s completely normal to want to see the face of whomever you’re talking to. But some users will insist on seeing the researcher’s face the entire time, to the point where they continually switch between the camera view and the prototype.

There is nothing wrong with choice, but the problem arises when every tool seems to need installing and a new account created, which nobody is keen on, increasing the risk of users dropping out.

I’ve experienced users asking to use specific tools which are usually not ones designed for conducting remote research. Even if you’re exclusively interviewing academics and scientists, no industry or domain guarantees your users are tech-savvy!

Granted, this is common for a number of research techniques like in-field or guerilla testing. However, when preparing for those methods, you do have a rough idea of where you’ll be conducting the research and you can plan ahead.

For remote research, you have no idea where your user is until you’re both connected on the call. In that moment you have to deal with whatever is thrown at you – children crying, neighbours arguing, traffic noise, etc.

Even from the researcher’s side, our homes are not designed to be professional environments and we have a complete loss of control over other people’s actions like flatmates singing or pets howling.

【2】Lurchenko, A. (2016)