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RESEARCH METHOD / 03

Research method

Move a question toward the next piece of evidence.

QUESTION / PROTOTYPE / OBSERVATION
A WORKING EXAMPLE

How should a conversation resume?

A question awaiting validation illustrates how a study could unfold. This example presents a brief and an observation approach; it contains no experimental results.

Setting
The listener says “one moment” during a response.
Hypothesis
Clear pause feedback may reduce the need to interrupt again.
To observe
Whether the person understands the pause and can choose to resume or end.
Concept scene of designers and Ami in a prototype studio
Prototype studio concept · Not a real test record
Responding→Interrupted→Pause acknowledged→User chooses
FROM QUESTION TO EVIDENCE

Five handoffs in a study

  1. 01

    Frame

    Name the people, setting and key unknown.

  2. 02

    Prototype

    Start with the smallest form that exposes the assumption.

  3. 03

    Observe

    Record hesitation, misunderstanding and changes in control.

  4. 04

    Compare

    Separate findings, interpretations and unresolved questions.

  5. 05

    Decide

    Explain why to continue, revise or stop.

Concept worktable with storyboards and adjustable model parts
MAKE THE ASSUMPTION TANGIBLE

Choose the prototype for the question

A question can start on paper and later move into an interface or a physical model. Each added layer of complexity should make something useful observable.

PrototypeWhat it revealsKeep

Conversation script

Sequence, tone, resuming

Conversation branches

Storyboard

People, bystanders, space

Context assumptions

Interface mock-up

Pause cues, state, choices

Interaction paths

Physical test rig

Distance, direction, stopping

Test conditions
OBSERVATION SHEET / EXAMPLE

Record observation and interpretation separately

Did the person speak again because they missed a cue or disagreed with the options? Recording events before interpretations makes the next discussion more precise.

Conditions
Setting, task, prototype version, participation
Observation
Pauses, repeated actions, corrections, exits
Interpretation
Possible causes, contrary evidence, open questions
Concept of a bounded motion study with Ami
Physical study concept · Not demonstrated prototype performance

For physical movement, observations also need circulation paths, person–device distance and whether a pause is perceptible.

REVIEW & NEXT STEP

Evidence determines the next step

Continue

The key assumption has support; the next investment and risk can be explained.

Revise

The question remains valuable, but the audience, assumption or test needs revision.

Stop

Evidence, expected value or risk conditions do not support continuing.

This page explains research methods. The example awaits validation; AI concept images do not document completed studies, real participants or product performance.