Need-finding

Result

Quoting from the interview answers:

1. “I feel like my friends do not read similar fantasy novels as I do and I don’t like to talk about novels with my friends. They don’t know anything about the content, and I will not talk about this with them.”

• 78% share their comments face to face…….how deep is the conversation though?

2. “the discussion [on] book review websites are not spontaneous enough”

• TO DO: allow spontaneous discussion.

3. “sometimes when a sentence interested me, I would like to see other’s comments. We might share same feelings. It makes me feel excited”

   • TO DO: allow instant comment sharing.

4. “It is an effort to ‘formally’ share reading experience on book review websites, which requires a lot of time commitment”

   • TO DO: allow short, “informal” commenting.

Survey

Interview

Appendix 1

Need finding interview script

Opening: You are asked to participate in an interview conducted by CSC212 students for statistics, research and project design purposes. The principle of this project is to design a platform that counter the lack of reading or the dread to read. Major features include socializing and open document sharing. You will be asked a few questions about your reading habits, perspective and expectations about digital reading interface. This interview is conducted on an anonymous basis. Any information obtained from this interview will remain confidential.

Question 1

How many hours every week do you usually spend on reading electronic material? It includes all of the materials you read on a laptop, cell phone, and tablets.

Question 2

What are your motivations for reading? For instance, do you read because your instructor assigns the reading or because you want to explore your interests?

Question 3

After you finish reading do you usually share your feelings with others, and why?

Question 4

Do you think you can express your feelings after reading enoughly through the media you are using right now? For instance, the media include instant messages, social media, book review websites and so on.

Question 5

Do you think it is helpful for readers if a reading platform includes features that allows readers to share their feelings and comments with others? Will that attract you as a reader? For instance, you can highligh a sentence and post your comment besides it, or you can share your opinion in the chat room with others.

Question 6

What’s your class year and major?