User Issues Arising in User Testing - Away from the Topic
In the course of conversations, some individuals may exhibit digressive behavior, a trait that can lead them to revisit previously said or done things, or to ask questions about unrelated topics, even mid-sentence. This behavior can be intriguing, yet it can also be frustrating, especially during research experiments with a logical flow.
Understanding the Root Cause
Digressive behavior is often a result of the person's wiring, with many things interesting to them and the potential for easy distraction by new or shiny things. This trait is closely related to those who find it hard to stop talking, a characteristic that can be challenging to manage in various settings.
Strategies for Dealing with Digressive Behavior
Dealing with people who digress requires tact and diplomacy to avoid offending them while maintaining focus. Here are some key strategies:
- Set expectations at the start about sticking to relevant topics to respect everyone’s time.
- Use an intention recognition approach by clarifying the purpose of each question or segment to keep the participant aligned with the core objectives.
- Employ a structured outline or script that acts as a roadmap, so the conversation stays on track.
- Listen actively and acknowledge diversions briefly, then bring the participant back with a question like “That’s interesting, but let’s come back to…” or “To better understand your experience with X, could you tell me more about…”.
- Be empathetic and flexible—sometimes digressions reveal useful context or insights, so balance control and openness.
- For consistent issues, consider training interviewers to use subtle redirection techniques without discouraging participation or creating a negative atmosphere.
These strategies align with principles of intention recognition and outline-guided conversation management discussed in methodologies for maintaining focus in qualitative user research and text generation tasks.
Making the Most of Digressions
While digressions can be frustrating, it's important to note that they may offer valuable insights for research. It's beneficial to make a note of them for later analysis.
Acknowledging and Managing Digressions
Reminding a digressive person to focus can be done by gently stating that you're not currently discussing a certain issue and asking them to return to the topic at hand. For example, "That's fascinating and I'd really like you to tell me more about that idea but a little later on in the test. At the moment, we're looking at XYZ and I'd really appreciate getting your input on that right now."
Additional Resources
The University of Queensland provides resources related to the topic, as does Zazzle and Word View Editing. These resources can offer further insight and guidance on managing digressive behavior in various settings.
[1] Methodologies for maintaining focus in qualitative user research and text generation tasks. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324823253_Methodologies_for_maintaining_focus_in_qualitative_user_research_and_text_generation_tasks [3] Maintaining focus in qualitative user research and text generation tasks. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/3047435228d8f154c1f3c047186d8a62405a658c
- In the realm of UI design, understanding user behavior, including digressive tendencies, is crucial for creating interfaces that cater to diverse user needs and minimize distractions.
- During user research in the fashion-and-beauty industry, digressive behavior might provide valuable insights into customers' lifestyle choices and preferences.
- While conducting pet care research, experts might encounter digressive tendencies related to the pets' roles in individuals' lives and relationships.
- Travelers might exhibit digressive behavior when discussing travel experiences, offering prospects for unearthing hidden aspects of destinations and the travelers' personal connections with them.
- In the realm of car shopping, digressions might reveal buyers' priorities, preferences, and motivations beyond the technical aspects of the vehicles.
