‘Thick’ personas – Using ethnographic Methods for Persona Development as a Tool for Conveying the Social Science View in Technological Design

Authors

  • An Jacobs IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
  • Katrien Dreessen IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
  • Jo Pierson IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS222008203

Keywords:

ethnography, methods, thick description, persona, technological innovations, technological design

Abstract

Designing and developing successful technological innovations requires interdisciplinary research teams, where engineers and social scientists profoundly interact with each other. In this kind of co-operation it is often the challenge for the latter to present the social science findings in such a way that they are understandable and actionable for engineering. One of the tools to bridge both worlds is the use of ‘personas’. In this paper we want to explain our experience with the development of well functioning personas. We believe that an optimal approach is multi-methodological. Based on the scope of two research projects this paper will first elaborate on the advantages and limitations of using personas in an interdisciplinary environment. Second it will also discuss the ways in which a combination of different (quantitative and qualitative ethnographic) methods of data collection served as input for the construction of efficient personas and the added value of this approach. The different methods make it possible to obtain ‘thick descriptions’ (Geertz, 1973) about the different user practices. To communicate these results without losing the advantages of ‘thick descriptions’, ‘thick’ personas are necessary.

Author Biography

Jo Pierson, IBBT Research Group SMIT - Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Senior Researcher at SMIT (Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication) - part of IBBT (Interdisciplinary institute for BroadBand Technology) - and holds a PhD in social science (communication studies). As Assistant Professor he lectures bachelor and master courses on socio-economic issues of the information society and on qualitative research methods at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in the department of Communication Studies (Faculty of Arts and Philosophy). His core scientific expertise is situated in the field of innovation strategic research on the meaning and use of fixed and mobile media technologies at home, at work and in public settings. In this domain he is managing a range of national and international projects. His research focus is on involving users in the technological development process based on ethnographic study and Living Lab approach.

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Published

2008-05-26

How to Cite

Jacobs, A., Dreessen, K., & Pierson, J. (2008). ‘Thick’ personas – Using ethnographic Methods for Persona Development as a Tool for Conveying the Social Science View in Technological Design. Observatorio (OBS*), 2(2). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS222008203

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2008)

Section

Articles

License

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