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User Research Activities

Learn how to plan and execute User Research Activities (UX Research) in a structured way, from defining objectives and creating a plan to synthesizing findings.

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User research activities (UX Research) are the set of methods and techniques used to understand users, their behaviors, needs, and motivations. It is the systematic process of collecting and analyzing data to inform the design process and decision-making.

What Are Research Activities?

Imagine you are a detective about to solve a big case. You do not go out on the street and interrogate random people. First, you define the mystery (“Who stole the cookies?”). Then, you identify your key witnesses (participants), prepare your list of questions (script), decide how you will analyze the clues (synthesis), and finally present your conclusions. A UX research plan is exactly that: a detective’s plan to solve a mystery about users.

A research plan formalizes the process and ensures that time and effort are not wasted. It answers:

  • Why are we doing this research? (Objectives).
  • What do we need to find out? (Research questions).
  • With whom are we going to talk? (Participants).
  • How will we do it? (Methodology).
  • When will we do it? (Timeline).

Why Is Planning Research Important?

  • Aligns the team: Ensures that everyone (designers, PMs, stakeholders) agrees on the objectives and purpose of the study.
  • Focuses effort: Avoids “research for the sake of research.” Every activity has a clear and measurable purpose.
  • Facilitates recruitment: Clearly defines the profile of the participants you need to find.
  • Serves as a contract: It is a reference document that justifies the time and resources to be invested.

Phases of Research Activities

  1. Planning (The Detective’s Plan):
    • Define Objectives: What design or business decisions will be made with the results of this research?
    • Formulate Research Questions: Convert the objectives into specific questions (e.g., “What difficulties do users encounter when searching for a product?”).
    • Choose the Methodology: Will it be qualitative ([[User Interviews]]) or quantitative ([[User Surveys]])? Moderated or unmoderated?
    • Recruit Participants: Define the profile and number of participants. Create a screening questionnaire (screener).
  2. Execution (Collecting Clues):
    • This is the phase where the research is carried out: the interviews are conducted, the surveys are launched, the usability tests are moderated, etc.
  3. Analysis and Synthesis (Connecting the Dots):
    • The raw data (recordings, transcriptions, responses) is analyzed to find patterns and recurring themes. Techniques like [[Affinity Mapping]] are fundamental here.
    • The goal is to turn data into insights: actionable findings that reveal a truth about users.
  4. Communicating Results (Presenting the Case):
    • The insights are shared with the team and stakeholders in a clear and persuasive way. The format can be a presentation, a report, or a workshop.

Mentor Tips

  • Never start without a plan: Jumping into research without a plan is a recipe for disaster. The plan does not have to be a 50-page document, but it must answer the key questions.
  • Involve stakeholders from the start: Ask for their input on the objectives and research questions. If they feel part of the process, they will be more receptive to the results.
  • Synthesis is where the magic happens: Collecting data is easy. Finding the meaning behind the data is the most important skill of a researcher.
  • Focus on actionable insights: Do not just present what users said. Translate it into clear recommendations the team can use to improve the product.

Resources and Tools

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ux process research mid-level