Qualitative Research & Scale Development
Transparency in Digital Experiences:
A global qualitative study to inform transparency measurement
Driven by evolving regulatory requirements and a desire to improve user experiences, our client needed to ensure their user data collection, storage, and sharing practices were transparent.
We helped them uncover user-centered definitions of transparency and develop a tool to measure transparency of their products.
Transparency is a key factor influencing trust in digital platforms, particularly in how they handle user data collection, storage, sharing, and monetization. However, user perceptions of transparency vary across cultures and digital experiences, making it challenging to design universally trusted products.
Amplinate conducted a global research study across three countries to explore the factors shaping perceived transparency. The research provided actionable insights through producing design principles for transparency and a scale to measure the transparency of their experiences.
Research Goal & Questions
The research goal was to define perceived transparency in digital products, establish design principles to improve transparency of digital experiences, and create a tool to measure “transparency” across the client’s products and experiences.
What factors shape users' perceptions of transparency in digital products?
How do users evaluate transparency when interacting with privacy-related interfaces?
What design principles contribute to enhancing perceived transparency?
How do transparency expectations vary across different countries and cultures?
What are the usability challenges in accessing privacy policies and controls?
How do users react to data collection, retention, and monetization disclosures?
Our Approach
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N=18 participants from the US, India, and Brazil
Digital product users from three markets with varying digital literacy levels and awareness about data privacy
A mix of adults and minors
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Desk research on current literature surrounding transparency in online platforms
60-minute remote, moderated sessions
Interviews covered observations as participants interacted with digital platform flows and probing on expectations and concerns related to transparency
Cross-cultural analysis of transparency conceptualizations to identify market-specific nuances and transparency dimensions present across cultures
Development of measurement scale for transparency based on cross-cultural dimensions of transparency
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10 weeks
Impact
Defined 7 transparency dimensions that shape user trust.
Provided design principles to enhance privacy controls, data visibility, and policy clarity.
Offered cross-market insights to tailor privacy experiences for different user expectations.
Developed a measurement scale for evaluating transparency in digital products that the client can use to improve user experience and respond to regulatory requests.