Participant uploads in the Itracks platform is a fairly simple process from the participant perspective. When uploads are enabled within a discussion group the participant will see an additional link below the text entry area that prompts them to ‘Add Media’ when they reply to a message.
Once they click on the Add Media link the participant gets options to add pictures, websites, embed video (from YouTube or Google video) or add video. The file types that they can upload and/or the format that is needed for the participant is listed for the participant. If profile pages are enabled they also get an option to move items that they have loaded into the profile pages into the thread of the discussion.
Most moderators feel that they generally get more uploaded response if they give instructions explaining how to upload as part of the moderators guide. Most people will understand by doing the steps to upload but there is a possibility that this may have to be reiterated on a number of questions for certain groups of people with lower levels of technical aptitude.
Here is some standard verbiage that can be used for this purpose.
To add a picture, website or embed a video within the discussion click on the ADD MEDIA link that you get when you reply to a question or a message. Here you will be presented with options depending on what you would like to add along with examples of how they can be added. Once you post your reply the media you have chosen will automatically be added to the reply.
You can view other's media by clicking the VIEW MEDIA link in the bottom right corner of the post
You may find that it is beneficial to get your participants to begin uploading pictures early on. The best way to do this is to get people to begin uploading when they introduce themselves by loading a picture of themselves to share with the group.
Participants also respond best if they are given distinct exercises to do when uploads are enabled. Here are some examples of this to pull from in your own project.
Below are some examples of exercises that I have seen used within the software:
Exercise Example 1 - eliciting imagery
Example Question: ‘Please upload a picture that displays ‘health’ to you’
Asking people to perform this type of exercise, you can see the variances that people have in their ideas of a general term or ideology that you are asking about. In the case of health: some people will load pictures of healthy athletic people; others will display pictures of their family or items displaying relationship health; whereas, other people will display healthy food and/or charts that show what dietary health entails. You will not generally get 1 theme in this case and much variance to how people see a certain idea.
Exercise Example 2 - in home ethnography
Example Question: ‘Please take a picture of the places where you keep your laundry detergent’
This example will allow you to see where people are using a particular tool or product within their house. In this case you can see where people keep their detergent. Is it under the sink, by the machine, etc. assisting the client with things like container design and the like.
You can ask multiple questions of this type in one board as well. Allowing you a further glimpse into the participant's house, household and how a product is used.
Exercise Example 3 - homework assignments
Example Question: ‘I have a bit of a homework assignment for you tonight. Please go to your most used grocery store and buy Product X. I will be asking you to give me details and summarize your experience of purchasing product X. Feel free to take notes and pictures to assist me in getting a clearer picture of your experience when you log in to talk about it tomorrow’
This is a good way to keep interest up in a longer running journal type or IDI study as well as in a regular BBFG. Incorporating the uploads into a homework assignment of any kind adds dimension to the discussion that would not otherwise be there.
Exercise Example 4 - answer the question with an upload
Example Question: ‘For this question, I would like you to share with the group the different travel sites that you use to plan your yearly tropical vacation.
You will be able to attach one website per post. When you post the website to the group please also tell me what in particular you look for on this website.’
In this case the participant gives an answer the core of your question via their upload. They add the additional commentary that you need via the message into the board.
Do not feel limited by the examples that I list (I am fairly certain that most of will not), the types of exercises that I list are some general examples. Feel free to expand on this or modify it for your own projects as necessary.
--Candace