5 Most Popular UX Research Methods
Great user experience plays a fundamental role in any business. It needs to be thoroughly researched to achieve success. In order to understand how to get people’s attention (in a positive way, obviously), we need to research their behavior. So, UX research needs to be done, in order to have successful results. There are many UX research methods, and we will tackle 5 most popular ones today!
What is user experience research?
User research is all about exploring the needs, likes and dislikes of the users to collect and analyze data to achieve positive results. There are different types of research depending on what exactly you want to know.
There are the following types of UX research methods:
Quantitative research: Quantitative user research is gathering and analyzing numerical information based on user testing.
Qualitative research: Qualitative research is the process of understanding the user, their beliefs, attitudes and ideas based on questions and answers.
Mixed research type: As it can be easily understood, this type of research includes information on both qualitative and quantitative sides.
UX research methods are different: ranging from tête-à-tête interviews to various tests.
We have gathered the most popular ones for you!
Let’s go!
#1 Conducting interviews
Okay, this one seems obvious, but as a research method it has a special classification based on different goals and directions.
- Directed: These interviews are the well-known question and answer ones. Here the researcher asks the essential questions. This type of an interview is usually held among a large amount of people.
- Non-directed: During these interviews, the researcher opens a conversation and carefully listens to the speakers. There are special guidelines for this type of interview. The users can be stopped any time in order to answer another direct question.
- Real or ethnographic interviews: It is important where these interviews are held: usually in the natural habitat of the interviewee himself. This version will help the researcher get the full picture of the interviewee’s behavior, with real proof.
This is one of the most popular and simplest UX research methods we could start with.
#2 Usability tests
This method is simply asking people to use a product or a service, do some tasks and follow their reaction and behavior. For example, using a prototype of a website or an app. The tests can be of three types: moderated, unmoderated and guerrilla.
- Moderated tests: Here a facilitator plays a great role. S/he talks to users one by one, letting them speak up and share their thoughts about something. Noting down both the shortcomings and positive sides of the product/service mentioned by the user. This test may be conducted both online and offline.
- Unmoderated tests: These tests are done only online. Being much cheaper than the moderated ones, these tests are done via a video recording. The whole procedure of the user clicking and doing the tasks is filmed and can later be observed.
- Guerrilla tests: If you like being somewhere there in the crowd: in the coffee shops or wine bars, these tests can also be implemented with you. People are asked to take simple actions, for example, with a website and share their opinions.
#3 Diary studies
Did you keep a diary when you were a kid? This one may seem one of the most intriguing UX research methods. It has rich qualitative and in-depth insights. Like a diary, this method helps us understand the day to day change in someone’s behavior and mood towards the product or the service. This is easily done in natural environments.
The participants write down all their ideas and opinions on the topic. This can be really inspiring and innovative in the contemporary world, as the problem can be pointed out and solved immediately.
#4 Behavioral analytics
A jump towards qualitative research methods. This is the gathering of behavioral data of users. By using this method, product managers and designers can gather information on how users behave on a website and what is the reason for this or that behavior. This includes looking through page views, registration, email subscription and sign-ups. This is a popular remote UX research method.
Later, by using AI and other new technologies, it will be easier to guess what action is coming next by the user.
#5 Card sorting
This one belongs to the mixed type as it includes both qualitative and quantitative aspects. It asks users to organize some items into separate categories.
This is later explored and discussed, taking into consideration how the things are named, described and faced. These mental models can also be used in the future to organize the website or app architecture.
This is one of the most organized and sequenced UX research methods popular today. It was initially used for the first stages of the design process, but now this method is used more widely. It’s an easy way to find an answer to a specific question.
The card sorting method is like sorting your clothes beautifully in the wardrobe and knowing exactly where everything is.
How to choose the right UX research methods?
First of all, you have to understand the core problem. Try to think about what you have already solved and what the problem is in your project now. Do you want to solve a usability problem or add a new feature?
Secondly, after having highlighted the problem, try to understand which of the UX research methods best fits your project. The testing method will help you to optimize something, while the card sorting method will help you to successfully assess and group the information you need.
Finally, wrap it all up! Of course, you can’t use all of the methods. That’s why you can pick the ones that correspond to your project and keep on using them whenever you need.
Just a reminder that it UX design world attracts you, BDG has a fantastic UX|UI Design for Beginners course with hand-on experience during the lectures. Join the upcoming course now!
