User+Study


 * > **__User Study__**


 * a) Statement of user study goals. What are the major questions you want answered regarding how users use the technology in question? About what they may want to see as an alternative?**
 * User study goals:**

The goal of the user study is to determine the current affordances and limitations of the drive through ABM machines that are available at most commercial banks. ||> ||

We want to know what the current opinion is on the drive through ABMs that are available in most major bank branches. This includes the opinions on the security, the accessibility and overall user experience.
 * Questions answered:**

We want to find out what people think would make the drive through ABMs better for them to use. This includes looking at the menu selections as well as the actual physical layout of the machines.
 * Alternatives:**

We have decided to employ several research methods in order to obtain the best quality of data possible. The primary research method will be a survey to find out what exactly people like and don’t like about the current drive through ABMs. The second part of it will be done via a focus group where any willing participants can contribute ideas of how to make the drive through ABMs better suited to fit their needs. The third part will incorporate body-storming in order to simulate the different conditions that people using drive through ABMs may experience. From paraplegics to quadriplegics and anything in-between, we will utilize the body-storming technique to find ways to make the re-design as universally accessible as possible.
 * b) Provide notes on research methods considered to answer the questions noted above. Why these methods? Why not others?**

There are many ethical issues with research methods and conducting a user study. The issues include the principal of voluntary participation, the requirement of informed consent, the risk of harm and confidentiality. As our study deals with peoples banking habits most user will be reluctant to participate in an actual study as such information is always kept private. The following issues will be addressed through the use of a non intrusive survey keeping the questions as broad as possible without impacting the integrity of our research. We will conduct our study on a voluntary basis and we will respect the peoples right not to participate, and if thye do so, we will not collect any private information and reassure them that all the information will be dealt with in a confidential and professional manner. One of the other main issues that arises with respect to our specific survey research is the fact that we do need to collect some personal information. As one of the problems we pointed out with today’s drive through ABM is that of accessibility. People’s ability to access today’s drive through ABMs, greatly depends on their height, weight and build, in general. People might be reluctant to share that sort of information. This information is very important to our study and could severely impact our results. We will deal with this in two ways. First, most people might not give exact height and weight information. We feel people will be more truthful if they were given a choice of brackets to put themselves in. The second way we will deal with this is by rather than keeping that section of data separate, we merge them both and use them as a single observation thus giving us a better understanding of the results (eg. People who are 250lbs and 5’2 differ from those who are 250lbs and 6’2). We understand that due to the nature of the study, it is this section that would have the highest degree of error but regardless should still give us an idea of the problems at hand.
 * c) Are there any ethical issues that you may encounter? How will you address these?**

The survey will enable the team to continue their research in the process to redesign the Automated Banking Machine. The survey includes both qualitative and quantitative data to determine key factors surrounding the user and the product. Questions such, as age, height and weight will enable us to categorize individuals in statistical data and reflect upon various users of the product. Survey questions are very simple and do not take more then five minutes for the individual to complete. Questioner such as users like and dislikes will provide the team with key perspective while trying to improve the design of drive through ABMs. It is also important for the team to understand why some individuals do not use the drive through ABMs. Factor may include the inconvenience of using the drive through ABMs, or not owning a vehicle. Survey will be given to random individuals in the bank. The team is also considering in providing a collective perspective of the users through a video demonstration. This video will provide the viewer with few scenarios of individuals who uses the drive through ABM. Key dynamics may include height, weight and make of a car to reflect upon array of users. The survey itself:
 * d) Provide a copy of actual questions asked and procedures applied.**