Field Study

Field study is the second evaluation approach. These evaluations are performed in a natural setting with the emphasis on increasing the understanding of what users actually do, and how the technology influences them. Field studies can be used to identify possibilities for new technology, to find out design requirements, to support the introduction of new technology and to evaluate technology. Qualitative methods, such as, interviews, observations, participant observations, and ethnography are used in this paradigm (Newman and Lamming 1995; Preece, Rogers, and Sharp 2002).