Summary
Every researcher wants to get the most out of a testing session but that’s easier said than done. It requires expert navigation of the nuances of different personalities, distinct power dynamics, and the varied abilities of each participant. Dovetail’s Head of Design and Research, Lucy Denton sits down with Mila Kuznetsova, Senior Director of User Research and Product at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to get a better insight into her experiments with methodologies and techniques as she’s navigated testing with a distinct participant group—children. In this session, we’ll hear from Mila about staying nimble, adjusting her approach to cater to the individual, and how we could bring the same level of understanding and grace to testing with adults. This session isn’t to be missed!
Key Insights
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Children's perspectives are distinct and should be directly engaged to inform product design.
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Recruitment for child research typically involves adults as proxies, necessitating careful consideration of consent and involvement.
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Creating a comfortable environment for child participants improves the quality of feedback and responses.
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Tailor interactions and materials to fit different developmental stages; each age group has unique abilities and limitations.
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Engagement techniques for younger children may include games or crafts to sustain interest and facilitate communication.
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Middle schoolers may display more critical thinking and curiosity, requiring researchers to clarify their intentions and methodologies.
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Preparation is essential for managing sessions with children; have a variety of activities and materials ready to adapt on the fly.
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Potential ethical concerns necessitate mindfulness of power dynamics between researchers, children, and parents.
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Simplicity in language and session structure helps all participants, not just children, to provide more insightful feedback.
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Inclusivity in research practices must account for cultural and linguistic differences among child participants.
Notable Quotes
"Kids are not little adults, and we can't just simplify adult products."
"Doing research with kids can be some of the most fun work you'll get to do."
"You need to expect that adults will try to interpret what children are saying during sessions."
"Always check for understanding; don't assume children know they can stop if they feel uncomfortable."
"Sessions with younger children should be kept short due to their shorter attention spans."
"Creating a warm-up conversation helps kids feel more comfortable and engaged."
"For middle school participants, one-on-one sessions yield better insights than groups due to potential distractions."
"Kids can have very unique perspectives, and we should embrace that creativity in their responses."
"Encouraging kids to express themselves through various activities can lead to richer data."
"We must be mindful of cultural contexts and how they influence a child's ability to engage."
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