Working with Teenagers in HCI Research: A Reflection on Techniques Used in the Taking on the Teenagers Project

Engaging participants and choosing an appropriate technique in the research process are vitally important in developing successful products, devices and interventions. HCI researchers need to choose techniques that are suitable and appropriate for the user population being considered. In this chapter techniques used within HCI research activities with teenagers during the Taking on the Teenagers research project are considered, providing a brief case study example of each. The key features of each technique are then summarised, in order to allow comparison between techniques and assist both researchers and practitioners when selecting techniques. Second, the authors reflect critically upon their practical experiences working with teens and the lessons they have learned, in order to formulate nine guidelines that inform best practice when working with teenaged user populations.