Observational Research
Role: Observational Researcher
Timeline: 4 Weeks
Project Type: Preliminary Research Report
Team Type: Individual Project
And many people had lost their homes and had become unhoused. At a time when everyone was being told to stay home, I wondered how people were doing if they didn’t have a home.
They are constantly facing obstacles and hardships that many of us don’t even have to think about.
With a specific focus on understanding the experiences of homeless individuals during COVID-19 and identifying the coping mechanisms they employ to navigate their daily lives.
I found 3 key insights into how people dealt with these hardships.
Individuals who embraced gratitude reported enhanced well-being, and this positivity extended to others within the community. Despite the difficulty in achieving this mindset, once attained, it provided a transformative outlook on facing life's challenges.
"How is everyone holding up rn I know it's pretty damn cold up north I'm down south and live in my car so it's not as bad for me fortunately just curious how is everyone staying warm tonight."
Instances of individuals treating themselves and acknowledging their deserving nature, as seen in one individual's decision to spend five nights in a motel, exemplified the impact of feeling worthy.
The community within the subreddit became a source of support, with individuals expressing gratitude for the understanding and shared experiences, creating a virtual connection that positively influenced their well-being.
"...So for the past 10 months I’ve been glued to r/homeless. It helps to know other people are experiencing the same challenges i am, and I appreciate learning from you guys’ posts and accumulated wisdom and experience.”
This online community allows individuals who are currently homeless or have been in the past to share their experiences and ask questions.
Before I started to conduct research I completed/received the Tri-Council Tutorial Certificate to ensure I understood the risks and how to avoid unethical mistakes.
Focusing on empathy, observation, personal engagement, and problem solving I used the POEMS framework to conduct research.
POEMS is an observational research framework used to make sense of the elements present in context. It stands for People, Objects, Environment, Messages and Services. I learned this method from the book “101 Design Methods: A Structured Approach for Driving Innovation in Your Organization” by Vijay Kumar.
Observations focused on determining the current housing status of individuals – whether they are homeless, previously homeless, or partially homeless.
Exploration of mentions and discussions related to personal belongings, such as phones or clothing items, as well as any visual content depicting items.
Analysis of the living conditions of homeless individuals, including whether they reside in their cars, shelters, or outdoors.
Examination of the content of posts and comments to understand the communication and expression of thoughts and feelings.
Investigation into whether individuals are currently utilizing shelter services or working with social services for support.
Before I conducted this research study I was imagining that I would find some unique insights about how people living without a home coped during the lockdowns. I imagined that my insights would be more along the lines of tangible advice (best places to stay, best things to ask for or overall advice on how to stay safe physically.) But as I collected research and observed people engaging with each other through Reddit, that wasn’t really the main topic of discussion. I think because people on r/homeless subreddit were looking to find people to connect with and relate to.
I think this research study can be an important reminder that people in vulnerable positions like these aren’t necessarily looking for a “hero” to help. They want someone they can talk to honestly without judgment, they want empathy from people and they want to ability to feel like they are worthy.
This goes to show how important research is, as a designer you should never assume you know/understand other people based off of your own experience.
The next immediate steps I would take is continuing my research by conducting interviews. I would use my insights to drive questions that would help me getting a deeper understanding of how these principles help people facing homelessness.
