Research Kit and Methods for Completing Remote Ethnographic Research

Abstract

A research kit and methods for facilitating collection of highly usable participant interview clips while conducting ethnographic research is disclosed. An ethnographic research kit may include an outer shipping container for outbound shipping to the participant; tracking information to track delivery of the package from the researchers to and from the participants; camera positioning stickers attached to the outer shipping container, a tablet/smartphone stand; and a return mailer container. A method for using the ethnographic research kit is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ethnographic research kit comprising:
 an outer shipping container;   package tracking information;   camera positioning stickers attached to the outer shipping container;   one or more sequentially numbered opaque envelopes having one or more test devices or samples;   a tablet/smartphone stand; and   a return mailer container.   
     
     
         2 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , further comprising prepaid postage on the return mailer container. 
     
     
         3 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , further comprising return shipping supplies. 
     
     
         4 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , wherein the return mailer container is sealed with a temporary closure label. 
     
     
         5 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 4 , wherein the return mailer container further comprises a series of cushioning inserts having one or more customized cutouts. 
     
     
         6 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 5 , wherein the return mailer container further comprises an interview guide having a set of instructions and interview prompts for typographic, video or photo assignments. 
     
     
         7 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 5 , wherein the return mailer container further comprises a series of instructional labels on one or more panels of the return mailer container to provide instructions on proper use of the ethnographic research kit. 
     
     
         8 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more opaque envelopes are sealed with an identifying label. 
     
     
         9 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 8 , wherein the identifying label of the one or more opaque envelopes are sequentially labelled. 
     
     
         10 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 8 , wherein the identifying label of the one or more opaque envelopes include differentiating graphics or iconography. 
     
     
         11 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 8 , wherein the identifying label of the one or more opaque envelopes include differentiating distinctive coloration. 
     
     
         12 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more opaque envelopes contain a series of devices that are presented to separate study participants in a randomized order. 
     
     
         13 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a personal diary. 
     
     
         14 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more rating/survey instruments. 
     
     
         15 . The ethnographic research kit of  claim 1 , further comprising a set of one or more cards for sorting exercises. 
     
     
         16 . A method for preparing a remote ethnographic research kit comprising:
 accessing an online research application;   electronically signing a confidentiality agreement and study consent form to initiate shipment of a research kit to a study participant;   assigning a unique outbound tracking number and inbound tracking number to each study participant;   adding pre-paid postage label to a return mailer container;   recording the unique outbound and inbound tracking numbers associated with the study participant;   applying instructional labels to a return mailer container;   inserting a tablet/phone stand and return shipping supplies into the return mailer container;   placing testing samples into one or more opaque envelope;   temporarily sealing the return mail container with an identification label;   placing the sealed return mail container into an outer shipping container;   labeling the outer shipping container with name and postal address of the study participant;   sealing the outer shipping container with packaging tape; and   mailing the ethnographic research kit to the study participant.   
     
     
         17 . A method for using the ethnographic research kit of  claim 1  comprising:
 opening the outer shipping container to view instructional label; 
 opening a temporary closure label on the return mailer container; 
 accessing an interview guide and one or more opaque envelope from one or more series of protective cushioning inserts having one or more customized cutouts to receive a set of study instructions; 
 opening one or more opaque envelope to access one or more test devices; 
 positioning a tablet/smart phone stand on the camera positioning stickers attached to the outer shipping container; 
 making a series of photographic or video journals using the test devices; 
 returning each test device to the one or more respective opaque envelopes and sealing the one or more opaque envelopes; 
 replacing the one or more opaque envelopes and interview guide into one or more appropriate customized cutout in the protective cushioning inserts; 
 removing packaging supplies from the return mailer container; 
 sealing the return mailer container; 
 shipping the return mailer container to a research facility; and 
 initiating a honoraria payment to a study participant upon receipt of the return mailer container to the research facility. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of opening one or more opaque envelope occurs in a randomized pattern. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of opening one or more opaque envelope occurs in a sequential numeric pattern.