Diary studies as a

research
method
PRESENTATION WAS PREPARED BY:
WERONIKA KONARSKA
BARTOSZ DOMAGAŁA
WHAT IS A
DIARY?
• The diary is one of the research
methods used in many fields of
science. It is a form of collecting
qualitative data in which
participants keep a diary in
which their thoughts, feelings
and behaviors are recorded in
order to understand certain
processes or phenomena.
 KEY ELEMENTS OF
DIARY STUDIES
• Diary studies have diverse applications in fields like
psychology, sociology, and human-computer interaction.
They provide valuable insights into individuals'
psychological states, including mood fluctuations, stressors,
and coping mechanisms. In the realm of human-computer
interaction, diary studies assist in understanding how users
interact with technology in their daily lives, leading to the
design of more user-friendly interfaces.
WHO CAN KEEP A
DIARY?
• Diary studies can be conducted across
various fields by researchers aiming to
understand human behaviors,
experiences, and perspectives. A diary
can be kept by an individual, a research
group or an observer
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF KEEPING A
DIARY?

CONSISTENCY NATURALISTIC REFLECTION STRUCTURED MEDIA

BEHAVIOR PROMPTS FLEXIBILITY

INFORMED FEEDBACK AND

CONSENT COMMUNICATION
 ADVANTAGES:

Naturalistic Observation

APPLICATIONS Longitudinal Insights

OF DIARY
STUDIES Rich and Detailed Data

Flexibility

Ethical Considerations
 DISADVANTAGES:

Participant Bias and Subjectivy

APPLICATIONS Compliance and Attrition

OF DIARY
STUDIES Hawthorne Effect

Interpretation Challenges

Ethical Concerns
 ORIENTATION CONSISTENCY PROMPTS OR
HOW TO AND
INSTRUCTIONS
AND SCHEDULE GUIDELINES

KEEP A
DIARY?

ENCOURAGE PRIVACY AND DATA ANALYSIS

REFLECTIVE CONFIDENTIALIT AND
ENTRIES Y INTERPRETATION
CHALLENGES IN DIARY STUDIES

PARTICIPANT DATA ANALYSIS

COMPLIANCE COMPLEXITY
 THANK YOU!
Bibliography:
• "Diary research: Understanding UX in
context"
https://maze.co/guides/ux-research/diary-rese
arch/
• Wysocka, M. (2011). Diaries, observations
and FL teachers’ creativity. "In Action
research in teacher development: an overview
of research methodology" (p. 143–159).
Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
• "Diary Method: Research Methods" Ruth
Bartlett, Christine Milligan (2021)