UXR TOOLKIT
A snapshot of my research methods and processes
I am a curious and versatile researcher, able to comfortably work in all types and stages of research. Similar to all other user researchers, there is a variety of research methods and approaches that I have a preference towards. Due to my academic and professional background, I have a preference towards using qualitative research methods. Within the scope of qualitative research, you can find me use methods like in-depth user interviews, ethnographic studies or diaries studies. However, I am also comfortable running quantitative studies such as surveys, tree testing and cart sorting, generally as a means to validate the qualitative findings from previous research studies.
I believe there are two characteristics that differentiate me from other researchers, and these characteristics ultimately help me come up with unique research approaches and points of view. These characteristics are :
I am a very curious individual and I feel that in order to truly understand something, you need to immerse yourself into a subject. Consequentially, this curiosity made me into a versatile researcher able to collaborate closely with designers, software engineers and managers.
I am known for meticulously planning user research and I am always striving to match the best research method to the problem that the team faces. I am a strong advocate that clarifying context is the key to finding answer to complex problems, and the earliest in the research we have a clear picture of the research problem, the easier it will be to come up with a research plan able to provide us with the correct answers.
Below you can find some of the user research methods and techniques that I frequently use:
A/B Testing
A behavioural quantitative research technique that compares two versions of the same design and determines which design aligns best with your business objectives.
Competitive Testing
A behavioural qualitative research method that evaluates the usability and learnability of competitors.
Affinity Diagramming
A qualitative analysis technique used to cluster meaningful observations and insights from research.
Concept Mapping
A qualitative visual framework that allow designers and researchers to introduce new concepts into an existing understanding of a particular domain.
Card Sorting
An attitudinal research technique used to explore how participants group items into categories and create connections between categories.
Content Analysis
A qualitative analysis technique used to extract themes out of data and make meaning out of unstructured information.
Design Sprints
I am a big supporter of design sprints. Generally, the sprints are five days long and business challenges are answered through design, prototyping and testing ideas with users.
Eye Tracking
A behavioural quantitative method that provides valuable insights into the users’ viewing behaviours. This evaluation technique collects detailed technical information on the viewing patterns of users interacting with our products.
Design Workshops
An activity based research method used to collect insights from participants and secure buy-in from stakeholders and team members.
Ethnographic Studies
An exploratory and qualitative research method intended to experience and understand the user’s world for design empathy and insight.
Diary studies
An exploratory research methods ideal for collecting information from participants across time. This method provides a snapshot of the users feelings, thoughts and behaviours at key moments throughout their day, week or month.
In-Depth User Interviews
This attitudinal research method is one of methods I use most often. It is a fundamental research method used to gain a deeper understanding of users and collect their opinions, attitudes, experiences and perceptions.
Mind Mapping
An attitudinal qualitative research method for analysis and sense making. Mind mapping allows researchers to identify the subject of the problem, the relationships between the components and the boundaries of these relationships.
Storyboards
Storyboards are visual narratives with the goal of generating empathy and communicate the context of use. These research deliverables are helpful to visually capture how, where and why people engage with products.
Personas
Personas are a synthesis technique and research deliverable. At its essence, personas are archetypes of user behaviour patterns that are converted into representative profiles, as a means to humanise the design focus and test design scenarios
Survey Creation and Analysis
Surveys are traditional research methods for collecting large amounts of data in order to quantify insights
Stakeholder Mapping
Another synthesis technique but for exploratory purposes. Stakeholder mapping are visual references for the team to plan user research activities and deliver the appropriate communication to the stakeholders.
Territory Maps
An analysis technique for exploratory purposes. This behavioural and qualitative technique consists of visual artefacts with the goal of anticipating design activities.
Tree Testing
A usability technique to evaluate the findability of information in a product.
Value Opportunity Analysis
An attitudinal analysis technique whose objective is to map the product’s qualities with the ideal lifestyle of the users.
Usability Testing
Usability Testing is all about evaluating the usability of mobile applications, websites or prototypes. It is a behavioural research method consisting of observing the individuals’ experience with a product as they walk through the steps of a given task.
Web Analytics
A quantitative analysis technique to understand what your users are doing online and for what reasons.
User Journey Mapping
A research deliverable for evaluation purposes. User journey mapping are visual representations of the experiences people have when interacting with a product. At its core, user journey mapping tells the story about an individual’s actions, feelings, perceptions and opinions as he interacts with the product over a period of time.
Weighted Matrix Studies
An evaluation analysis technique for identifying and prioritising the most promising opportunities.