Summary
We will be presenting a simple framework or “toolkit” that can be used to align on the “minimum viable participants” for inclusive research when under pressure. Intentional user research often gets classified into two categories. One aims to recruit users based on specific, constraint, or viability-driven criteria, e.g., who is most likely to be an early adopter, most likely to engage, or most likely to find value. This type of research is often seen as “fast,” “focused,” and “targeted,” but may overlook meaningful nuance. The other focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), examining historical frameworks, and patterns of exclusion or injustice, and is viewed as “ethical,” “inclusive,” and “deep” but can also be cumbersome for teams under time or resource pressure. However, fast and inclusive research are not mutually exclusive. Contrary to the popular belief that building DEI principles into user research slows us down or is just a “nice to have,” we propose instead, that it can accelerate insights by efficiently identifying the highest risk use cases and revealing beneficial design for all.
Key Insights
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Fast and fearless research often requires more time than anticipated.
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Ethics play a crucial role in the research process and cannot be ignored.
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Understanding bias is an essential step in conducting inclusive research.
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The default approaches in research often perpetuate systemic biases.
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Historical context and marginalization must be addressed in research.
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Inclusive research benefits not only marginalized groups but the whole population.
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Iterative framing is necessary for effective problem-solving in research.
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A diverse stakeholder group enhances research outcomes and insight gathering.
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Recognizing intersectionality leads to richer understandings of user needs.
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Reflective practices should be built into research processes as key components.
Notable Quotes
"Fast and fearless inclusive research is somewhat of a misnomer – it takes time and requires engagement."
"The snow plowing patterns in Carlsgo were not designed to disadvantage women; they were simply following what seemed best."
"Women often face greater challenges in winter conditions due to road plowing that's biased toward car users."
"Default practices in design stem from lack of empathy and are often unchallenged."
"Bias is not eliminated by education; it requires deeper reflection and understanding of oneself."
"We're under pressure to deliver the minimum viable product, but this pressure impacts the inclusivity of our work."
"Frames in research should never be static; they need to change as we gain new insights."
"Inclusive research involves questioning who we're listening to and who we're missing."
"By focusing on the marginalized, we often find insights that benefit everyone."
"We must iteratively adjust our methods to center the experiences of those we're researching."
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