UX research methods you can start implementing
An elaborate UX plan allows you to manage the research method for an entire project, from defining study objectives and questions, who to recruit and how determining research methods, creating questionnaires and scripts and identifying necessary resources and equipment, schedules and milestones. It’s your responsibility as a researcher to define what happens on a certain project, and it ensures everyone is on a level playing field.
This especially helped me when I started UX design as I was able to confidently sketch the images I would take and not underestimate my design process. I also became able to safely sketch effects and outcomes for clients.
on that note, I will be sharing different UX Research Methods I have come across and how you could use them
Field study
Here, the individual {user} is in their normal surroundings for everyday life. And they get to perform what they do typically on a regular basis. While all this is done, the researcher just observes all that is happening
As the researcher, you get to learn how users solve or handle situations and the reason why they do it with the exact problem and needs of the users and might see an opportunity to improve.
In-depth interview
The researcher asks the user questions to understand from the user’s perspective how their experience with a particular product was, their impressions of use, the issues the consumer has met and the way they have got solved and plenty more.
As the researcher, you get to learn the objective and goal the user wants to accomplish with that product and the different user experiences with a particular product
Online survey
An online survey is a structured questionnaire that your target audience fills out over the internet, typically by filling out a form. With this, researchers get to collect and evaluate measurable and verifiable data
Focus group
In a focus group, a group of people are gathered in a room to discuss a similar and particular topic to them. It could be a common problem, a product experience etc. All these are done under the supervision of the UX researcher. With this kind of method, the researchers could learn how these users react to certain discussions
Usability testing
The ideal user carries out some set of particular tasks while using a product by them themselves. The researcher gets to learn how the user performs the given task if they get distracted along the task flow, what difficulties they encounter and so on
Eye tracking
Eye tracking is the process of measuring either the point of gaze or the motion of an eye. The researchers get to learn areas that catch the user’s attention more, the sequence in which they view information on the screen and the areas which they neglect
Remote unmoderated user testing
Remote user testing is simply giving the user the product to perform tasks under natural conditions all while being recorded. Researchers can learn about different user behavioural patterns since they can conduct this method of research with a large number of people
Card sorting
Card sorting is a technique that requires users to organize information into logical groups. Users are given a series of labelled cards and are asked to organize and place them into the groups they see fit. With this method, a researcher will learn how users think in relation to information architecture, and this could help with meeting users’ expectations.
Thanks for reading this far.
👋 Hi, I’m Gaga. I’m a product designer and volunteer as a design coach. I combine creative thinking and problem solving to create compelling products and services. If you found this article useful, share it with a friend
