Sometimes, the biggest plus is a minus.

Fiona McAra
Aug 31, 2018 · 2 min read

I work closely with user researchers on a daily basis — sometimes we research together, sometimes we do different strands or types of research, and other times I direct and use their research in my designs. My current project involves researching with underrepresented and sometimes vulnerable groups, which means that it can be complex. As a result, the process, from ethics, to consent, to final outputs and feedback to participants, is something that we continue to iterate together.


Recently, a group decided, once researchers had arrived, not to take part.

This tells me a few things.

  • The researchers were respectful, intuitive and sensitive to their needs
  • Our informed consent and information sheets gave the group the information they needed to make a decision
  • The potential participants felt empowered to say no, in a traditionally imbalanced situation
  • That we’re continually seeking true informed consent
  • That we value people, as human beings, more than research stats

If the group had consented through coercion, the information gathered would have been at best partial, and at worst, misleading or incorrect. We would have failed them, and reduced the quality of our research.

Some people might see it as a wasted day. Personally, I think it’s a marker of a job well done.

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