Go beyond user interviews with contextual inquiry

Contextual inquiry is should not be confused with user interviewing, another very valuable user research method. The key distinction is right in the name — your inquiry must be on context.

So, what is contextual inquiry? Think of it as a combination of light ethnographic work and user interviewing.

Contextual inquiry involves observing people in their natural context and asking them questions to fill in the gaps of your observation. If I’m looking to create a more efficient point of sale system for grocery stores, I…