User research
User research studies needs, behaviours and contexts to guide decisions about products and services
What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.
What it is and how it works
It combines qualitative and quantitative methods according to the project's questions. It includes planning, participant recruitment, evidence gathering and synthesis. Its value depends on how it reduces uncertainty and changes decisions, not on the number of interviews or documents produced.
Also known as
UX research
Topics
Frequently asked questions about User research
How do you choose participants for user research?
Selection should respond to the research question and the relevant usage situations. Include differences that could change the experience, such as familiarity with the service or accessibility needs. Recruiting only people who are easy to reach can leave out important problems. The number of participants depends on the method and the objective; there is no single figure that is valid for every study.
When should you observe what people do instead of asking them what they want?
Observation is the better choice when the decision depends on how a task is carried out, where difficulties arise or what conditions influence use. Interviews help to understand experiences and motives, but a stated intention does not prove future behavior. Both types of evidence can complement each other. The choice of method should start from the uncertainty you want to resolve and the conditions in which it occurs.
What does it mean when user research finds no problems?
It means no problems were detected with those people, tasks and conditions; it does not prove the service is free of them. Review which profiles or situations were left out and whether the method could observe the difficulties being looked for. Research reduces uncertainty within a given scope. Making its limits explicit helps decide whether to move forward or whether another check is needed.