Research
In this phase of the project, I conducted primary research through interviews. Based on the problem statement, an interview guide was created for the interviewees to understand the topic and talk about their relevant experiences. After the interviews, several steps, such as summarizing key takeaways and creating an affinity map, are taken to provide further insights for the app development.
Interview Guide
Introduction
My name is Ellie. I’m a graphic design student at the Academy of Art University. I’m conducting this interview for my school project on the topic of first-aid knowledge and skills.
Overall Goal
To investigate how well people know about first aid and what some of the obstacles are that prevent them from learning about it.
Expectations
The interview will be about half an hour. I will be proposing questions, but the more important thing is to hear different ideas and thoughts on the topic. You’re able to leave at any time and you may answer only questions that are comfortable for you.
Background Info
What’s your name?
How old are you?
Where are you from?
What professional field are you in?
What level of education do you have?
Have you ever taken a course or lesson about first aid?
On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your firs-aid knowledge level?
(1=knowing nothing about it, 5=capable of handling it correctly)
Main Question
Recent Experience
Tell me about the last time you came across someone who were injured in an accident (including yourself, a close friend, a family member, or a stranger)?
How did you feel about it? What were your reactions to that situation?
Understanding of emergency situations, ability to evaluate and respond, understanding of first aid and ability to perform
First-aid Awareness
Describe any preparations you have made for emergencies.
Crisis awareness, physical and mental preparations, understanding of the necessity of first aid, idea of first-aid content and facilities
List three things that you think should be included in a first-aid kit and describe how you use them in an emergency.
What areas do you think first aid should cover?
Understanding of the scope of first aid and its relation to our lives
What are some of the steps you know about basic first aid treatment?
Do you have any idea of where the public first-aid equipment might be?
Accessibility and awareness of public facilities
First-aid Training
Where do you find information about handling accidents?
Types of information sources, online or offline, idea of credibility
If you are to receive first aid training, where would you choose to go?
What do you know about any CPR/AED or first-aid trainings offered by the company you work for or the academic institution that you attend?
Awareness and accessibility to institutional facilities around
Concerns and Obstacles
How long do you think a first-aid training should take? How much do you assume it will cost?
Perceived time, money or energy that will be devoted to first-aid training
Apart from money and time, what prevents you from learning about first-aid knowledge or skills?
Physical or mental obstacles, understanding of necessity
What are your biggest concerns when asked to perform first aid treatment?
Please describe any aids, such as apps, videos, or websites, that help you learn more about first aid, if any. How have they worked?
Awareness, understanding and use of current digital product
Interview Summaries
Melody
(28, Taiwan, Web Design Student, Master’s Degree)
Has some basic preparations (e.g. a medical kit) and understanding of handling minor injuries
Connects first aid more with severe situations
Finds online information easily accessible
Has no idea of public or institutional first-aid resources
Believes first-aid training costs a lot of time and money
Worries about worsening the situation because of lack of professional skills
Allen
(32, Seattle, Software Engineer, Bachelor’s Degree)
Has little preparations and abilities to handle emergencies
Believes that first aid is mostly associated with small injuries and the more serious situations should be handle by medical professionals
Has no idea of public or institutional first-aid resources
Believes first-aid training costs a lot of time and money
Shows no confidence in performing first aid and worries about bad consequences
Believes in-person training would be most effective and digital products should focus on interactivity
Katie
(25, Santa Rosa, Product Manager, Bachelor’s Degree)
Reacts little to a seen accidents feeling nothing she can do about it
Has some basic preparations (e.g. a medical kit) and understanding of handling minor injuries
Believes that first aid is associated with small injuries
Knows about first-aid resources provided in the workplace
Believes first-aid training should cost only one day and should better be free
Has no idea where to get formal first-aid trainings
Qiyang
(23, Shanghai, Software Engineer, Master’s Degree)
Seldom reacts to accidents and simply lets it heal over time
Has little preparations for emergency because of its unpredictability
Has no idea of public or institutional first-aid resources
Hopes to learn about the basics that are more common and useful
Believes first-aid training costs a lot of time and money
Hates about the troubles (mostly commuting time) to attend a physical training
Believes there are more things in life prior to learning about first-aid skills
Ira
(36, Oakland, Security Guard, High School )
Has some ideas about first-aid kits because of work but no experience in performing first-aid treatment
Never thinks about getting a first-aid training and doesn’t attach much importance to it
Relies on Google for almost all information
Believes first-aid training should cost only one day and should better be free
Worries about worsening the situation because of lack of professional skills
Ali
(28, Chengdu, University Student, Master’s Degree)
Has a certain degree of first-aid knowledge and knows about basic steps to first-aid treatment
Believes that first aid is mostly associated with small injuries and the more serious situations should be handle by medical professionals
Takes the initiative to learn about first aid because of family medical history
Has no idea of public or institutional first-aid resources
Thinks that first aid trainings should be separated into different specialties and the basics should take less than a day and be free
Believes that many people don’t have attention because they haven’t run into severe situations
Affinity Map
For UX researchers, affinity maps are often used for analyzing and synthesizing user research findings by patterns and themes. During the process of gathering data from the interviews above, I put together an affinity map using sticky notes to organize different ideas into groupings based on their natural relationships and came up with key research findings.
Research Findings
People don’t prepare well enough for accidents because of the lack of emergency awareness. They think it’s unpredictable or they tend to believe that bad things will not happen to themselves.
People lack a comprehensive view of first aid. Some believe that first aid only deals with small injuries while others believe that it is mostly about CPR. Either of the views contributes to their lack of motivation to learn about it.
Internet, primarily Google, is the most common source of information with immediate access to some first-aid knowledge. However, people also mention that in-person interactions might be more useful for a formal training.
Most people have no idea of public or institutional first-aid resources.
The perceived cost (money and time) of learning about first-aid is much higher than it actually is.
People assume first aid involves complicated skills, lack confidence in performing first aid, and worry about any bad consequences (worsening the situation, etc.)