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Bay Area Human Factors and Ergonomic Society Meeting

Ethnographic Field Study Techniques
Bonnie Nardi
Apple Computer, Inc.

Wednesday, May 24th
6:00 - 7:30pm * Please note the time change
Apple Computer, Inc
R & D 1, Hong Kong Conference Room
Cupertino, CA

Abstract:

Ethnography is the art and science of describing a group or culture and
has long been used to characterize peoples and civilations. Techniques
used in ethnography are finding their way into the user centered design
process and are proving to be useful tools in "getting to know your
user."  I will talk about ethnographic methods: what they are, when
they are appropriate and how to best deploy them. In addition, I will
talk about some of the studies I've done and future directions for
ethnography and design.

Bio:

Bonnie Nardi is a Research Scientist in the Advanced Technology Group
at
Apple Computer. Her interests are intelligent agents, end user
programming,
the use of ethnographic methods in design, and theoretical approaches
to
the study of human computer interaction. She has studied Western Samoan
villagers, spreadsheet users, brain surgeons, reference librarians and
teenagers (each more exotic than the last). Currently she is trying to
understand the link between ethnography and marketing. Bonnie is the
author of "A Small Matter of Programming: Perspectives on End User
Programming," MIT Press, 1993 and the forthcoming "Context and
Consciousness: Activity Theory and Human-Computer Interaction" MIT
Press,1995.

Directions:

From DeAnza Blvd., turn left on Mariani. Turn left into the 2nd
Driveway (Infinite Loop). The building is the first one down, #1. Wait
at the front door, someone will come and get you.