A New Side of Research

Up until now, my main function in focus groups, interviews, etc. was more behind-the-scenes. That's fine, it helped me learn what all needed to be put in to make sure research ran smoothly and to get some good learning out.

Now that I've done all of the setting up, videotaping, organizing, and anything else you could imagine in the back room, those things come naturally to me and I don't have to think about them any more. No longer do I have to think so hard about using the camera...I just do it.

Today was a great example of finally getting to move beyond this technical back room stuff to focusing more on what was said in the interview. Sure I was behind the camera but I was looking through it at the people we were talking to.

Another thing that has helped me become more involved, besides just knowing the equipment, is my increased confidence in helping out, even on a small task. My input and opinion is valued and often, even if not solicited, is very much wanted. I know that to add something new, like a question the interviewer didn't think of or ask yet or to follow up with a thought on what was said, is to expand on the original thinking. One idea breeds more so that is always helpful. Also, the planner I went out with told me beforehand that I could interject with a question if I felt it was something that would add learning - he opened it up for me to be more involved. I really appreciated it and this is a new trend for me as my role continues to expand.

The next step will be to do more of the actual interviewing and running focus groups. I have of course done things on a small scale such as man on the street, one on ones with people we know to just get some quick scrappy research, and going with other planners that let me interview part of the time. It will just feel good to start running with projects on my own. More experience is what I need now.

On the scale of experience, a fellow planner who was actually conducting the focus groups talked about how good it felt to be able to shoot from the hip more. He didn't need a questionnaire written out, a cheat sheet to look at, he just needed to be listening and reacting and thinking of questions along the way. It was kind of cool to hear him talking about the next thing he learned, felt comfortable with, and was excited about being able to do as it shows the continual progression of a planner - the same assignment but different roles and different stages of development within those roles.

I also hear about planners, and other participants in the focus group/research experience, getting really tired of the same old thing. But when you've learned what to do and hit a plateau, maybe that's a good time to improvise and try something new. If it's getting so boring, revolutionize it.

Just keep on learning.