Remote UX research is great, but the world is opening up again, so UX agencies globally are restarting face-to-face research. This webinar is a chance to hear directly from those involved.

1. Safety tips for in-person
research in a COVID-19 world
Webinar
First edition: 24 June 2020 1pm
Second edition: 24 June 2020 6 pm

2. Agenda Overview
Introduction to UXalliance by Frederic Gaillard from Axance France
Why are we here today by Tjeerd from User Intelligence Netherlands
Interactive poll
Overview of safety tips by Helga from Mantaray South Africa
Considerations for recruiters taking questions by Daniel from Torresburriel Spain
Considerations for participants taking questions by Annemieke from Assist Italy
Considerations for moderators taking questions by Simon from Sutherland UK
Considerations for researchers, observers taking questions by Ilana from BayfrontUX Australia
QA
Conclusion, Zoom photo and upcoming Benchmark by Manoko from Mantaray South Africa

3. The global network
for user experience
Since 2005

4. Our coverage

5. Why are we here today?
Start of Covid-19: we published several
articles on remote research, and
organised webinars to follow-up on that.
Right now: some countries are relaxing
the Covid-19 rules. That means that
researchers might be able to do
in-person research again.

6. From Prevention to Lockdown, and back again...

7. Why are we here today?
If you can and want to do in-person research, you have to
make sure it is safe. We are sharing our experiences here.

8. Why are we here today?
Note: this is not an
encouragement to do
in-person research!
But if you do, make
sure you minimise
the risks.

9. The Netherlands as example
● We are out of lock-down
● Our lab set-up has changed
● We adapted all procedures
We are open for in-person
research for 1 month now

10. However...
● Remote research is still the
preferred method
● We have only done 1 field
study, and might conduct our
first lab test in a few weeks
It’s not business as usual yet,
not even in ‘open’ countries!

11. What does your situation look like?

12. Overview for safety measures
Research that needs occur in-person:
● Physical products
● Highly-sensitive concepts, products and services
● Immersive and in-context observational research
● Wearables, eye tracking and neuromarketing

13. Overview for safety measures
Country Health
Authority
Follow International safety guidelines and in-country health regulations
as well as cleaning protocols.

14. Overview for safety measures
Avoid parallel tests and if unavoidable stagger the
tests so they finish at different times and crossover
is minimised in reception areas.
Avoid serving refreshments and food prior or during
testing to avoid the removal of masks and sharing
plates. Ensure you let recruiters and participants
know and ask them to bring their own water and
drinks.
Ensure you have sufficient space for waiting participants as well as
enough time to clean equipment between sessions

15. Considerations for recruiters
Recruiters are the first stage to get a safe user testing session. That's why they
should have clear guidelines to keep a healthy process.
We can
● Include additional health screener questions. We should ask if they:
○ Have been unwell in the last two weeks
○ Have taken care of someone with Covid-19 in the last two weeks
○ Have travelled from a hotspot area where Covid-19 is active
○ Live with a first responder or healthcare professional working in Covid-19 care
■ Except when the study is a healthcare study

16. Considerations for recruiters
We can
● The recruiter must inform the participant that they should not attend the session if
they start to feel unwell at any point
● Plan an extra check-up call to verify the participant is healthy the day before the
study
● Non-disclosures and disclaimers should be signed electronically using digital tools
or could be captured with a video recording of acceptances
● Incentives online to prevent the exchanges of cash with electronic receipts
● Ensure the screener is completed electronically without the exchange of paper
● Adhere to general safety guidelines

17. Considerations for recruiters
We should
● Train the team
○ Internal recruiters: ensure our team know the basic guidelines
○ External recruiters: to help the external team to get all the basics about safe
recruitment
Don't forget: recruiters are the first stage to get a safe user testing session.
That's why they should have clear guidelines to keep a healthy process.

18. Considerations for participants
Transportation Washing hands Adequate distanceSafety measures &
cleaning protocols

19. Examples lab set-up
Image credit - https://www.professionalplastics.com/

20. Considerations for moderators
Moderators are the key people participants will interact with. They need to
maintain a safe session and do immediate preparation
We can
● Keep checking with moderators that they’re also comfortable running sessions
● Avoid using moderators with cold, allergy or anything else that would make
participants feel uncomfortable
○ Have a backup plan
○ Any moderator household exposure should also be reported
● Ensure moderators are familiar with the new lab set up

21. Considerations for moderators
We can
● Keep the lab safe
○ Wear gloves and wipe down all equipment
○ Avoid sharing equipment (mouse, keyboard etc)
○ Stay paper and pen free (consent signing online)
○ Electronic payment
● Check user audibility with masks
● Be alert to the participant mood and be prepared to stop if uncomfortable
● Allow more time between sessions for moderator clean-down

22. Considerations for moderators

23. Considerations for observers, researchers & translators
Ideally, create a remote environment to support remote viewing
and collaboration for observers, researchers and translators
● Stream in-person sessions to allow real time viewing for observers, researchers
and translators
● Set up an online chat for all observers to communicate with each other (Whatsapp
is a good solution)
● Set up a separate chat for one observer to communicate directly with the
moderator during sessions, use this for any direction or additional questions you
need to convey to the moderator during the session
● Create an online collaboration board for observers to capture
observations during sessions
(Miro a good option)

24. Considerations for observers, researchers & translators
For in-person observers, researchers and translators
● Ensure you can accommodate them while maintaining appropriate social distancing
○ Well ventilated observation room
○ Clear demarcation for seating
○ Wipe down common areas
○ Avoid food or opt for individual serves
○ Keep wipes handy
● If there is a dedicated viewing room consider prioritising or rotating opportunities

25. Questions and discussions
● Do users (participants) want higher incentives?
● Do they want to come at off peak times?
● What are your thoughts on focus groups or group user testing in this time?
● What are your favourite remote user testing & focus group tools?
● Do you have disclosure signed from users (participants) if they get COVID from participating in
interview?

26. Takeaways and polls
1. Remote is default and in-person can start, depends on research goals
2. Each country is unique so adjust safety protocols to your specific needs
3. Best-practices universal
4. Multi-roles and safety consideration
5. Control people interaction
6. This is the start of the process; possibly start one interaction and build on it
7. Some things are here to stay some things are quickly returning to normal
8. Be flexible
9. How can we ensure absolute safety when we are relaxing
10. Need to ensure visual cues to ensure research safety

27. Conclusions
Sharing experiences helps to adapt to the COVID-19 world.
And a webinar can bring a research community together!
The situation is changing rapidly, and we are learning every day.
So we will continue to share our experiences: articles, webinars, etc.
Follow us on
LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/company/UXalliance
Facebook: UXalliance
Twitter: @UXalliance
or visit www.UXalliance.com for more information.

28. Make a note in the diaries for 16 July