Contextual Inquiry is a user research method where a designer or researcher observes and interviews a user in the user’s own environment while they perform real tasks. The goal is to understand the context in which a product is used and to gather in-depth insights about user behaviors, motivations, and any pain points they experience in their normal routine. For example, if you’re designing a new medical record software, a contextual inquiry might involve going to a hospital, watching how doctors and nurses currently use the existing system during their shift, and asking questions as they go (without interfering too much in their work). This method is very user-centered because it captures details that might not come up in a lab test or survey — like environmental distractions, workarounds the user has created, or tools they use in conjunction. Findings from contextual inquiries can inform design decisions to ensure the product fits seamlessly into the user’s life. It often uncovers not just what people do, but why they do it, leading to designs that truly cater to real-world usage.