While we chose not to directly observe participant's use of social platforms, we wanted a way to capture affective or interesting interactions that they had. This probe provided a way for participants to capture "moments worth screenshotting" that occurred while they had the probe kit and share them with us.
Probe design
The cards for this probe were A5 to fit a fully-sized frame for a phone that participants could draw in. Next to the frame are a series of questions which prompt participants to describe the moment and why they chose to capture it. As it was expected that the moments participants shared might be personal or private, we designed the probe so participants could draw out screenshots, giving them agency to share in a way and level of detail that they were comfortable with. Like the other probes, participants could also choose to use the dropbox to upload screenshots if they preferred. Most participants either uploaded screenshots for all of their "moments worth screenshotting" or drew all of them. However, one participant uploaded screenshots for all but one moment, one where he shared a thirst trap on his Snapchat story. Drawing out the thirst trap instead of uploading a screenshot of it, he was able to share this moment and discuss it in the interview without having to share a risque photo of himself.
Packaging and instructions
The A5 cards were packaged in an envelope with instructions printed on the front. Similar to other probes in the kit, the instructions included prompts for ``moments you might capture'' and check-boxes to indicate responses to them. By including prompts, participants were encouraged to capture and describe a range of different types of moments.
Downloads
- Card template [PDF]
- Instructions [PDF]
- Card template and instructions [InDesign]