Foreign Influences in User Experience Research: A Double-Edged Sword

User experience (UX) research is all about understanding the needs and behaviors of users in their respective contexts. When conducting user interviews, researchers face a unique challenge: whether the cultural and social barriers posed by being a foreigner can be a hindrance, or whether they can be leveraged as a profound advantage.

The Most Important Characteristics of a Good UX Researcher

When it comes to conducting effective user interviews, there are several crucial qualities that a researcher must possess. These include:

Being able to really listen: Picking up on subtle nuances, body language, and reading between the lines. This is essential for asking clarifying questions that provide deeper insights. Keen powers of observation: Spotting contextual cues and seeming inconsistencies, and integrating these into the conversation. Flexibility: Adapting to conversations that veer off the original plan, revealing surprising insights, and navigating smoothly with good improv skills.

These qualities are invaluable for any researcher, but they are especially important when navigating the challenges of cultural differences. Achieving this level of skill often requires a high level of language fluency and cultural understanding. For many researchers, working in teams and contracting out parts of the study is a common practice.

The Benefit of Being Foreign

Despite the challenges, there is one significant benefit to being a foreigner in the context of UX research: the ability to see a culture more clearly because you have not been immersed in it your whole life. This perspective can be particularly useful in identifying cultural nuances that might be overlooked by those who have deeply ingrained cultural biases.

This phenomenon is aptly described by the German word "Kulturbrille" (culture glasses), coined by anthropologist Franz Boas. This term refers to the way our cultural conditioning blinds us to certain aspects of our own culture, making it easier for outsiders to see these nuances. Being a foreigner can also provide a certain level of leeway and understanding, as social rules and etiquette may not be as strictly expected. This can be incredibly useful when asking sensitive or seemingly obvious but actually complex questions.

Case Study: Global Ethnographic/Design Research

A compelling example of the advantages of being a foreigner in UX research can be found in Hidden in Plain Sight by Jan Chipchase and Simon Steinhardt. In their book, they share numerous anecdotes from their global ethnographic and design research work, highlighting the importance of an outsider's perspective. Their experiences illustrate how being a foreigner can provide unique insights, helping them spot patterns and nuances that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Conclusion

In the field of UX research, being a foreigner can be both a challenge and an opportunity. While cultural and social barriers present significant hurdles, the ability to see beyond our own cultural conditioning can lead to profound insights. By leveraging these advantages and refining our skills in listening, observing, and adapting, researchers can deliver richer, more meaningful user experiences.