ARTHRITIS SOURCE
Interview with the Designer – Interview Questions
Julianne Fondiller and Jennifer Turns
October/November 1999 (Final)
FinalPage 1 of 3
The following questions were used in the interview with the designer of the Arthritis Source. In addition to the questions, this document provides an indication of the motivation for the question, ideas about how to facilitate the asking of the question, and the direction in which the answer might be expected to go.
- Can you tell us how the Source got started? What you were originally trying to accomplish with the Source? In other words, what did you set out to do?
Why: This question is a combination of history about the site, as well as the original goals of the site. First, we’d like to know how the Source evolved. This information may help to inform the redesign. Next, we’d like to know what Rick’s original goals were in developing the site because his goals may differ from the user’s goals. This question is meant be broad, and also be an opening into talking about the Source. We won’t go into details about users here- that is for later questions.
Facilitation: We’ll try to emphasize how this question is (or may be) different from the user’s goals. This question may be hard for him to answer, so we may have him try to remember what “user scenarios” he thought about while developing the Source.
Anticipated type of response: For example, first, Rick wanted to create a small website for a class on arthritis for medical students. Then, we decided to add information for our arthritis patients because they had so many questions… Also, one of Rick’s goals may have been that medical students will read the Source in place of a lecture on Arthritis.
- How have the videos been received?
Why: Rick was very involved in the video’s, and he has a lot of opinions about them. This question will help tap into his personal interests.
- Who are the Source's intended users? And of these users who do you think use the Source the most or who is the Source most aimed at?
Why: The current documentation of the source suggests that there are many different groups of intended users, and we want to verify which groups Rick actually had in mind when creating the Source.
Facilitation: We’ll write down each user group he mentions. Furthermore, in anticipation of time constraints, we’ll ask Rick to prioritize the users, and we’ll use this order to ask the questions 2-4.
Questions 3 – 5 will be asked as a set for each group of users. For example, if arthritis patients are the most important group of users, then we’ll first have Rick answer questions 2 through 4 on arthritis patients. Then, we’ll return to question 2 for the next most important group.
- What types of information do ______(ie. arthritis patients) want/need on arthritis, in general? Right now, don’t think of what the Source offers.
Why: We want to know what information these groups need before asking if the Source meets this need. Rick has been teaching medical students and treating patients for a long time. He is widely recognized as an expert. We need to gain insight into what he knows about the different user populations.
Anticipated type of response: For example, arthritis patients want information on how to stop pain. Medical students need information on how to diagnose patients.
- Let’s take a step back from the Source for a moment.
What else can you tell us about ______(ie. arthritis patients), in general?
Why: Rick has been teaching medical students and treating patients for a long time. He is widely recognized as an expert. We need to gain insight into what he knows about the different user populations. This question will give him a chance to add anything from the previous question.
Anticipated type of response: General information on the users; for example, arthritis patients tend to be older and female. Medical students are in their 3rd year and specializing in orthopedics.
- Now, let’s talk about the users using the Source.
Imagine you are ______(ie. a patient with arthritis). Show me how you would use the Source.
Why: We want to know what information the Source provides for the different user groups. This question represents a further effort to draw out Rick’s knowledge about the intentions behind the “Source.” Furthermore, it is important to note that his answers reflect how he believes the users use it, and it represents how he designed the site to be used. (Later studies and interviews will examine if users really use it this way.)
Facilitation: We’ll go through each user he mentioned in response to question 1, and in the order he prioritized them. To facilitate this question (suggested by Reid), we’ll have Rick imagine that he is a specific type of user. Then ask him what he would anticipate that type of user might want to know and how they might approach accomplishing their goals. Specifically, he could be asked to show how the user would use the “Source” to achieve their goals.
Anticipated type of response: Rick will go thru the site, narrating as he goes, and show what information a type of user would want and get, and what path they’d take. For example, one of Rick’s goals may have been that medical students will read the Source in place of a lecture on Arthritis. He’ll show us what information the student would get, and how they would get it.
- Are the user groups the same for the web-site, CD, and kiosk?
Why: Since there are 3 ways to access the Source, we’d like to know if the different user groups determine how it’s accessed. Rick may know this from his observations and developing the Source. We’ll get more details on this in looking at hits & tracks and user interviews/observations.
- How is the web site advertised? Or how does each group know about it?
Why: We want to know what is currently being done to inform potential users about the Source. This answer might help us to know who is more likely to be using the Source and why.
Anticipated type of response: For example, patients are referred to it during doctor visits. Students are told about it by their professor.
- Is the CD still made available? And if so, how?
Why: We want to know what is currently being done to inform potential users about the Source. This answer might help us to know who is more likely to be using the Source and why.
Anticipated type of response: For example, doctors give the CD to patients or professors hand out the CD during class.
- How is the kiosk advertised?
Why: We want to know what is currently being done to inform potential users about the Source. This answer might help us to know who is more likely to be using the Source and why.
Anticipated type of response: For example, patients are referred to it during doctor visits. Students are told about it by their professor.
- Is there anything else, you’d like to tell me about the Source?
Why: This question will give Rick a chance to tell us what he’s interested in, and what he thinks we should know about the Source.
If there's time:
- How does the site get updated?
Why: We want to know what (if anything) is in place to keep the Source’s information current and up-to-date. This answer may help to inform us as to whether the process is working or needs to be changed.
Anticipated type of response: For example, Rick (or another orthopedic doctor) updates the site every month. Or someone updates it only when they learn new information.
- Do you personally use the site? If so, how? And do you have any pages bookmarked?
Why: This question will help give us an idea of how useful the site is for him.
FinalPage 1 of 3