## 7 Field Study to Evaluate User Experience of Urban Interfaces
### Planning of Field Study
#### 7.3.1 Research Method  
Different research techniques were reviewed prior to performing the field study [60], predominantly those focused on discovering problems using a qualitative approach, rather than a quantitative approach. As several different research techniques exist, a literature review that includes [PERSON] & Nunnally [50], [PERSON] [36], [PERSON] [37], and [PERSON] [60] was performed in order to select the most suitable approach for this study. When deciding on the approach that should be used, the following criteria were taken into consideration: (1) Analyze people's behavior, not only their attitudes, when they use interfaces, (2) conduct research in the actually physical setting and context of the urban interface, and not in a simulated context, and (3) minimize researcher intervention whilst people perform tasks.  
In accordance with these criteria, and in line with that stated [PERSON] [61], it was determined that the use of an observation technique would prove the most suitable approach for this study. Even, [PERSON] states that this technique \"enables researchers to \"immerse\" themselves in a setting, thereby generating a rich understanding of social action and its subtleties in different contexts. Observation also gives researchers opportunities to gather empirical insights into social practices\".  
Subsequently, the number of real users the study could be conducted on was established. The purpose of this was to apply the guidelines to real-world cases with the intention of reviewing whether it was possible to identify user experience problems on the urban interfaces selected. With regards to this, [PERSON] [62] and [PERSON] [63] have stated that usability tests should include as many participants as possible, and attempt to encompass heterogeneous groups, as this can help identify more problems in each round of testing. Other authors, such as [PERSON] [64] have said that the evaluation and validation exercises must be repetitive and iterative, once again for the purpose of identifying as many problems as possible. On the other hand, authors such as [PERSON] [65] and [PERSON] [56; 57], have proposed using smaller sample groups in each round of testing as a way to deliver faster results and reduce costs.  
Limited time and resources were available to perform the field study. Researchers were only able to perform one round of testing of the proposed guidelines on the interfaces described herein. The main objective of the study was to see the guidelines in action and review whether they cover all facets of the user experience on an urban interface, rather than attempting to identify all usability issues. Based on this, a decision was made to use approximation based on Discount Usability, as proposed by [PERSON] [66]. According to [PERSON] [56; 57], it is estimated that research must include at least five users of similar characteristics in order to obtain results in a piece of qualitative research with users. Although questions have been raised regarding this effectiveness of this type of approximation [62; 67] it did prove useful when applying the 14 proposed guidelines.  
In this study, there were at least six users in each of the groups described above. The field study involved the observation of 168 individuals as they used the aforementioned interfaces.