diff --git a/documentation/research/researchplan.md b/documentation/research/researchplan.md index 2de7332..b6083c4 100644 --- a/documentation/research/researchplan.md +++ b/documentation/research/researchplan.md @@ -1,29 +1,26 @@ ## RESEARCH PLAN -### Design Research Goals +### Research Goals We will conduct design research activities with first-time prospective college students aged 15-25 to understand their needs, desires, and mental models related to finding and applying to college. We are looking to learn: - - -* How prospective students think about the college application process: - * What they anticipate the experience will be like, and how it works (aka, the mental model) - * What pain points they forsee for themselves or peers - * What their need, goals, and fears are - * Other tools they use to accomplish college-related tasks - * What motivates and demotivates them related to applying to college - functionally, emotionally and socially -* How effective our MVP is at helping students meet their needs related to: - * Finding colleges that might be a good fit - * Applying for those colleges -* How students would rate and prioritize post-MVP features like saving colleges, tracking applications, and the college/financial aid quiz. +* Understand how prospective students think about the college application process: + * What are their needs, goals, and fears? + * What do they anticipate the experience might be like, how it works, and what they might do? (Understanding their mental model and approach) + * What pain points do they foresee for themselves and people around them? + * What tools do they use to accomplish college-related tasks? + * What motivates and demotivates them related to applying to college - functionally, emotionally and socially? +* Understand effectivity of our MVP at helping students meet their needs related to: + * Finding colleges that might be a good fit + * Applying for those colleges +* Understand how students would rate and prioritize post-MVP features like saving colleges, tracking applications, and the college/financial aid quiz. + * Learn more about what we might have missed ### Methodology We propose 60-minute, 1:1 interviews with students. They could follow this general format: - - * Part 1: Open ended questions * Part 2: Usability testing session * Part 3: Concept testing session @@ -35,18 +32,25 @@ A **concept testing session** involves collecting users’ thoughts and attitude ### Outcome -Our learnings will inform content and visual enhancements along with metrics to the measure effectivity, ensuring that we are building for the right mental model, and help us build out a roadmap for the product’s future. +Our learnings will: +* Inform content and visual enhancements along with metrics to measure effectivity, ensuring that we are building the right features for our users. +* Help prioritize and plan out a roadmap for the product’s future. -### Recruitment Approach -Since we’re focusing on first-time college applicants, our primary source of students would likely be highschools or programs for high-school aged students (like community-based organizations, college prep programs, etc). We would prioritize speaking with students from underserved communities, or those who may need more support overcoming systemic obstacles to college. +### Recruitment Approach -We might also invite a few adults from advocacy organization that could help us understand the landscape of college applications and financial aid. +Since we’re focusing on first-time college applicants, our primary source of students would likely be highschools and programs for high-school aged students (like community-based organizations, college prep programs, etc). We would prioritize speaking with students from underserved communities, or those who may need more support overcoming systemic obstacles to college. +Other personas of interest: +* Advocacy organizations that could help us understand the landscape of college applications and financial aid. +* People in an applicant’s support system (family, peers etc) +* College administrators who manage application cycles and information + Our recruitment methods would be determined in collaboration with DoE stakeholders. + ### Next steps