Executing Effective Research

“Research is creating new knowledge.”
— Neil Armstrong

Introduction

In UX research, executing effective research is just as important as planning it. Once you have a solid plan in place, it’s time to put it into action. This involves conducting the research, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing insights that can inform product development decisions. In this section, we’ll explore the key steps involved in executing effective UX research, including recruiting and working with participants, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating findings to stakeholders.

Applying moderated research

Moderated research is a type of UX research where a researcher guides a participant through a study, asking questions and providing prompts to encourage participants to share their thoughts and feelings. Here are some tips for applying moderated research:

1. Define your research goals: Before you begin, make sure you have a clear understanding of your research goals. What do you hope to learn from the research? What questions do you need to answer?
2. Recruit participants: Recruit participants who match your target audience and have relevant experience with the product or service you are studying.
3. Prepare for the session: Before the session, prepare a discussion guide or script that outlines the questions and prompts you will use during the session. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment and tools for recording the session.
4. Conduct the session: During the session, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the study. Ask participants to sign a consent form and ensure they understand that their participation is voluntary. Use open-ended questions and prompts to encourage participants to share their thoughts and feelings. Take notes and record the session for later analysis.
5. Analyze the data: After the session, analyze the data you collected. Look for patterns and themes that emerge from the data. Use these insights to identify areas for improvement in the product or service you are studying.
6. Communicate findings: Communicate your findings to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. Use visual aids, such as graphs or charts, to help illustrate your findings.

By following these steps, you can conduct effective moderated research that yields valuable insights into the user experience of your product or service. Remember to keep your research goals in mind, recruit participants who match your target audience, and use open-ended questions and prompts to encourage participants to share their thoughts and feelings.

Applying unmoderated research

Unmoderated research is a type of UX research where participants complete tasks on their own, without direct guidance from a researcher. Here are some tips for applying unmoderated research:

1. Define your research goals: As with moderated research, it’s important to have clear research goals before conducting unmoderated research. What questions do you need to answer? What do you hope to learn from the research?
2. Choose the right tools: There are many tools available for conducting unmoderated research, such as remote testing software or online survey platforms. Choose a tool that best matches your research goals and the type of data you need to collect.
3. Develop tasks: Develop tasks or scenarios that are relevant to your research goals and that simulate realistic use cases for your product or service. Make sure the tasks are easy to understand and complete.
4. Recruit participants: Recruit participants who match your target audience and have relevant experience with the product or service you are studying. Use a screener survey to ensure participants meet your criteria.
5. Monitor the session: Although participants complete tasks on their own, it’s important to monitor the session to ensure that the data collected is accurate and reliable. Use analytics tools to track participant behavior and identify any issues.
6. Analyze the data: After the session, analyze the data you collected. Look for patterns and themes that emerge from the data. Use these insights to identify areas for improvement in the product or service you are studying.
7. Communicate findings: Communicate your findings to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner. Use visual aids, such as graphs or charts, to help illustrate your findings.

By following these steps, you can conduct effective unmoderated research that yields valuable insights into the user experience of your product or service. Remember to choose the right tools, develop relevant tasks, recruit the right participants, and monitor the session to ensure accurate data collection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, executing effective UX research is an essential part of the user-centered design process. Whether you are conducting moderated or unmoderated research, it’s important to have clear research goals, choose the right tools, develop relevant tasks, recruit the right participants, monitor the session, analyze the data, and communicate your findings to stakeholders. By following these steps, you can collect valuable insights into the user experience of your product or service and use these insights to inform product development decisions. Remember to remain focused on your research goals, keep an open mind, and use empathy to better understand the user’s perspective.

Article Content

1. Home
2. Research Overview
3. 3 Phases of UX Research
4. Choosing the Right Research Method
5. Environmental Considerations
6. Planning Effective Research
7. Executing Effective Research
8. Analyzing and Presenting Your Findings

Thanks for reading my article. I am a UX Designer specialised in UX Research & Interaction Design with over 5 years of experience. Follow me on Medium & Linkedin to continue with me on my journey in UX Design ❤