Diary Study | Notion

We developed six categories of research questions we would like to know from the potential users. They covered emotional distress, physical discomfort, social function, professional function, product usage, and menstrual hygiene & health management. In emotions and physical discomfort parts, we listed the potential symptoms as the hypotheses in the research. Considering the mental load for participants to provide daily feedback, we aimed to reflect on questions in the diary study stage and the rest in the post-study interviews.

Set up

Google Docs to record answers for 6 days + 20-30 min post-study interview

Procedure

Identify key research goals - Design of the diary study questions - Field the diary study questions with appropriate participants - Recruit testers - Filter and onboard testers - Being study for appropriate time period - End study & Debrief testers - Analyze results - Synthesize and present findings

Execution

3 participants: before/during/after menstruation: 2 aged 20-25, 1 aged 45-50

Key findings

To read the whole diary study protocol, click HERE

Physical symptoms snowballing emotional reactions are the main problems leading to deficiency in social and professional functioning.
All participants focus more on the physical aspects of pre/during/post menstruation syndromes.
Lethargy is the most common feeling. Participants reflect that emotional change is composed of reacting to physical symptoms and reasonless one due to hormones.
All participants tended to avoid social interaction leading up to, and during their period.
All participants had established some syndrome and health management strategies. The effectiveness of the strategies has positive correlation with ages.
It seems that as ages increase, the severity level of the syndrome decreases.

Journey Map

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yswu-VmKW4-u46Wkpa6fdzMxQYZDBTnm/view?usp=share_link