In a Michigan library, a $25 gift card proved to be a powerful incentive for engaging participants in a redesign of eviction court forms. The author discovered that the project needed to go beyond data collection, focusing instead on acknowledging the emotional struggles of individuals evicted. Ethical engagement, transparency, and building trust were vital, leading to important insights on how appreciation and incentives can foster deeper connections and meaningful contributions during difficult discussions.
I didn't think a $25 gift card could cause such a stir, but it did more than that on a freezing Michigan winter day at a public library.
It was about creating a process that acknowledged the emotional weight participants carried. These weren't just sessions to gather data - they were moments where people shared deeply personal experiences.
User research is meant to start with a simple goal: understand people's needs, frustrations, and experiences to create better, more human-centered solutions.
One of the surprising lessons I've learned is how incentives can transform engagement. The offer of a $25 gift card was enough to draw participation.
#human-centered-design #vulnerable-populations #user-research #eviction-court-forms #engagement-strategies
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