Example of an effective diary study

Even after you've taken a look at our guide for planning out your study design, you might still need some inspiration! That's what we're here for. Take a look at this example study for some help!

Study: Voice Assistants

This study was designed to understand how people interact with voice assistants, and what they'd like to see from future voice assistant products.

It made use of 4 of the 5 standard Dscout activity types: an inventory activity, a moments activity, an ideation activity, and a reflection activity.

Study Details and Overview

TIP: In the study overview, be sure to include a brief overview of the full study and each activity. Let scouts know whether you're running an automatic or manual study[link], and if manual, be sure to give scouts each activity's deadline as well as the overall study deadline.

Activity 1: Device Inventory (an inventory activity)

Have scouts (participants) show you everything they use, like, own, or need associated with your topic of interest.

TIP: When writing a multi-entry activity, write your questions to allow multiple responses.

Activity 2: Voice Moments (a moments activity)

Have scouts share significant moments related to your topic of interest.

TIP: When writing a multi-entry activity, write your questions to allow multiple responses.

Activity 3: Voices of Tomorrow (an ideation activity)

Have scouts ideate about the future of your topic of interest. Let them inform your product planning!

TIP: if you're using mobile activities, remember that scouts are answering your questions on their phone. Be sure to use a combination of open- and closed-ended questions to let them give their thumbs a break!

Activity 4: Voicing Concern (a reflection activity)

Have scouts think back on the subject of your study. Often, you'll also want to ask questions related to the moments they shared: what might have gone well, or poorly, over the course of the study.