---
description: Use when tracking user behavior and experiences over an extended period of time
---

# Diary Study

A longitudinal research method where participants self-report their experiences, behaviors, and emotions over days or weeks, capturing real-world context that one-time interviews miss.

## Steps

1. **Define the study scope** — Set the research question, study duration (typically 1-4 weeks), and entry frequency.
2. **Recruit and brief participants** — Select representative users and provide clear instructions on what, when, and how to log entries.
3. **Design the entry template** — Create a simple prompt structure: what happened, when, how they felt, and any screenshots or photos.
4. **Monitor and nudge** — Check in periodically to maintain participation and ask follow-up questions on interesting entries.
5. **Analyze and synthesize** — Review all entries for patterns over time, behavioral trends, and emotional arcs.

## Output Format

A timeline-based summary showing behavioral patterns, recurring pain points, emotional trends, and key quotes organized by theme. Include participant-level highlights and cross-participant patterns.