Distributed Remote Psychophysiological Data Collection for UX Evaluation: A Pilot Project

ABSTRACT

User experience (UX) research has been critically impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the sanitary restrictions put in place. Observational or perceptual studies can be adapted remotely with participants using their own computer and internet access. However, studies based on the unconscious and automatic physiological states of participants use neurophysiological measurements that requires highly specific hardware. Electrodermal activity (EDA) or electrocardiogram (ECG) based studies are complex to transpose to a remote environment since researchers have no physical contact with the participants. To address this concern, our research team previously developed a remote instrument that can collect the EDA and the ECG activity at the participants' location through a moderated self-installation of sensors. We developed a protocol for remote physiological data collection that we pilot tested with 2 UX studies. After each study, we administered an open-ended questionnaire regarding the full experience of remote data-collection from both the moderator's and the participant's side. We collected 92 responses total which provided us with a rich dataset that we analyzed through a thematic analysis lens in order to uncover the success factors of remote psychophysiological data collection. Operational support, moderator-participant collaboration, individual characteristics, and technological capabilities clearly emerged as drivers for success. This project aimed to develop a rigorous and contextually relevant protocol for remote physiological data collection in UX evaluations, train our research team on the developed protocol, and provide guidance regarding remote physiological data collection activities.