UX Research:Practical Techniques for Designing Better Products

One key responsibility of product designers and UX practitioners is to conduct formal and informal research to clarify design decisions and business needs. But there’s often mystery around product research, with the feeling that you need to be a research Zen master to gather anything useful. Fact is, anyone can conduct product research. With this quick reference guide, you’ll learn a common language and set of tools to help you carry out research in an informed and productive manner.

This book contains four sections, including a brief introduction to UX research, planning and preparation, facilitating research, and analysis and reporting. Each chapter includes a short exercise so you can quickly apply what you’ve learned.

• Learn what it takes to ask good research questions
• Know when to use quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Explore the logistics and details of coordinating a research session
• Use softer skills to make research seem natural to participants
• Learn tools and approaches to uncover meaning in your raw data
• Communicate your findings with a framework and structure

Table of Content

Chapter 1The History of Research

Research in Manufacturing

Human Factors

Analytics and Lab Coats

Computers, the Web, and Today

Field Research Takes Root

Parting Thoughts

Planning and Preparation

Chapter 2Good Research Starts with GoodQuestions

Why Are Good Questions So Hard?

The Basic Structure of a Question

Writing Your Questions

How to Use Different Types of Questions

How to Practice Asking Questions

Exercise: Brainstorming Questions

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 3Quantitative Research Methods

Quantitative Research by the Numbers

Three Focuses of Research

Types of Research Methods

Quantitative Methods: When and Where

Quantitative Methods: When to Avoid

Exercise: Getting to Know QuantitativeResearch

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 4Qualitative Research Methods

Qualitative Research: Can You Feel It?

Three Focuses of Research, Revisited

Qualitative Methods: When and Where

Qualitative Methods: When to Avoid

Qualitative and Quantitative: A Match Made inHeaven

Exercise: Getting the Feel for QualitativeResearch

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 5Choosing Your Methods

Quantitative and Qualitative: How to Choose

Mixing and Matching Methods

Exercise: Choosing an Effective Method

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 6Logistics

Planning Session Logistics

Supporting Documentation

Honorarium

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 7Recruiting

Participant Identification

Recruitment Screener

Recruitment Methods

Recruitment Challenges

Exercise: Priming Your Screener

Parting Thoughts

Facilitating Research

Chapter 8Making Research Happen

Rules of Engagement

Dry Runs

Session Flow and Facilitating

Exercise: Meeting Prep

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 9Managing People During Research

Host and Guest Norms

Cultural Considerations

Small Talk Matters

Exercises: Making Small Talk

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 10Improv in Research

What Is Improv?

Rules of Improv

Practical Uses of Improv

Exercise: Simplifying Through Improv

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 11Facilitating Research

Soft Skills Are Hard

Body Language

Microexpressions

Cultural Implications

Exercise: Reading Nonverbal Communication

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 12Debrief Sessions

What Are Debrief Sessions?

Why Debrief?

Debrief Informs Iteration

Exercise: Discussing Observations

Parting Thoughts

Analysis and Reporting

Chapter 13Making Sense of the Mess

Why Bother with Analysis?

Analysis in Product Design

Methods of Analysis

Insights Inform the Design Process

Exercise: Performing a Candyland Analysis

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 14Communicating Insights

Modes of Presenting

Importance of Different Modes

Using the Artifacts

Exercise: Structuring the Research Report

Parting Thoughts

Chapter 15Getting the Most Out of Research

Research Starts with Questions

Research Is Ongoing

Parting Thoughts

Appendix About the Authors

Appendix O’Reilly®: UX Research