Which of the following investigation techniques involves following a user for one or two days in order to find out what a particular job entails?

Shadowing is a direct observation technique used in business analysis and requirements elicitation. It involves an analyst closely following and observing a user in their natural work environment for a significant period, such as one or two days. The goal is to gain a deep, contextual understanding of the user's tasks, workflows, interactions, and the informal processes or challenges they encounter. This immersive method is particularly valuable for understanding complex roles and tacit knowledge that users might not articulate in interviews or workshops.

A. Scenario analysis. This technique involves creating narrative descriptions of possible user interactions with a system to explore requirements, not observing a user's current job.
B. Protocol analysis. This is a "think-aloud" method where a user verbalizes their thought process while performing a task, focusing on cognitive aspects, not a long-form observation.
D. Activity sampling. This is a statistical technique using random, intermittent observations to determine how time is distributed across various tasks, not a continuous, in-depth study.

1. Preece

J.

Rogers

Y.

& Sharp

H. (2015). Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction (4th ed.). Wiley. In Chapter 7

"Data Gathering

" the authors describe direct observation in the field

stating

"Observation can be direct or indirect... Direct observation involves spending time with individuals and observing their activity as it happens... shadowing a user is a form of direct observation" (p. 235).

2. Kuniavsky

M. (2003). Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner's Guide to User Research. Morgan Kaufmann. This text

often used in university HCI and design courses

details shadowing as a key observational method. Chapter 11

"Observations

" explains that shadowing involves "following a subject through their day" to understand the context of their actions (p. 251).

3. Lazar

J.

Feng

J. H.

& Hochheiser

H. (2017). Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction (2nd ed.). Morgan Kaufmann. In Chapter 5

"Observation

" the authors differentiate various observational techniques. They describe shadowing as a form of ethnographic observation where the researcher follows a participant to understand their activities in context

contrasting it with techniques like activity sampling

which is quantitative and intermittent (pp. 120-122).