What you might need will vary with research location and method, but these items are usually in my kit:

  • Cash for tips and emergencies
  • Hardware, as needed:
    • Backpack or rolling briefcase
    • Camera for taking environmental or screen photos and capturing analog tools and paper forms
    • Document camera for recording mobile devices
    • Gaffer tape for making sure that participants don’t stumble on cables
    • GPS
    • Laptop for taking notes
    • Laptop for testing, with mouse, microphone or webcam
    • Portable Wi-Fi hotspot
    • Power strip, power adaptors for cars and international locations, power bank, adaptors for projectors, and cables, extension cords and chargers, including extras for users’ devices
    • Stopwatch or timer with alarms
    • USB stick (not always allowed in business locations)
  • Incentives in an envelope for each participant
  • Office supplies:
    • A big envelope or closeable folder to hold the paper
    • Clips to keep each user’s materials together
    • Pens and notepads, sticky notes
  • Personal comfort items:
    • Earplugs for sleeping
    • Pocketable snacks, coffee mug
    • Raincoat, sweater, or jacket
  • Photo ID and business cards
  • Printed and digital documents:
    • Passwords and web addresses for external systems
    • Research documents, as needed:
      • Consent forms for participants
      • Facilitator script
      • Guidelines for observers
      • List of participants and contact information
      • Printed copies of the think-aloud protocol (if participants will read it)
      • Printed information for connecting to the local WiFi (if participant will need to connect a mobile device to the network)
      • Research project plan
      • Task scenarios (printed one per page to hand participants)
    • Travel documents, including screenshots of maps with directions to destination and hotel, and copies of contact information

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