Field Research in India

Three years of interviewing and interacting with people in India for research have taught me how to do things right and how to not do things. Sharing with you some top learnings from my book.

Interview Prep

1. Understand context
   Which city? What location? Local weather? How many people are in the household? What is the user's name? age?Education? Every relevant detail you can get, Be familiar with it. Make sure to get the name right, or just ask them to spell it for you. Be well prepared to talk naturally
2. Carry the basics
   Water, Medicines, chargers, notepad, power bank, and all other research equipment you need with you. You might not always be able to buy a new one on the go, keep backups with you.
3. Dress modestly or Indian wear
   Dress according to the atmosphere, if in a metro city jeans & top do work but while exploring rural India, keep a shawl handy. You don't want to feel uncomfortable during the interview.
4. Plan your day
   Expect changes to the plan, but plan it. Everything that needs to go wrong will go wrong. Where all are you going? Who all will you meet? Who all are going with? What time? What is for the lunch? do we have all the tech we need? you need all the planning you can.

During the interview

1. Be ready to understand Languages
   Hindi isn't the national language of India. People speak more than 120 languages and numerous dialects. as a researcher, we could try and understand emotions & body language but having a translator to help with the language is the best way to understand the user.
   Speak in a pleasant tone of voice, Use relaxed body language and incorporate humor where appropriate.
2. In-home interviews
   You are entering their homes, respecting their space, artifacts & other people in the house is important.
   Keep in mind to leave your footwear outside.
   Do not visit during prayer hours
   Smile, make eye contact with participants
   Never say no if they offer you something to eat, try it — be a warm guest.
   Do not disturb or move things in their house without asking.
3. Ask for stories, not facts
   People remember things with what happened then — the story, ask them to recall a story and you might get more facts than you expected. People love to hear & tell stories
4. Experience
   Be in the moment. Listen to everything — words they say, words people around them say, the sounds of the product you are testing, the environment they use the product in. Observe the environment, the things, the way they are kept, and how they are used. Learn to unlearn and learn more from your respondent.