Technology Biography

A qualitative research method consisting of structured interview and observation sessions focused on specific elements of a user's interaction with technological artifacts. Developed by Blythe and colleagues, the method encourages sharing and discussion about how a person uses items in their life — past and present — and how they feel about those interactions. In accessibility research, Technology Biographies are particularly useful for understanding how disabled users interact with everyday technology in naturalistic settings, revealing work-arounds and design failures that laboratory studies might miss.