User Research

Technical explanation

Researchers select methods according to the question and product stage, including interviews, contextual inquiry, diary studies, surveys, analytics, field observation, card sorting, and usability testing. Sound practice defines the sample, protocol, consent, data handling, analysis method, and limits of inference.

Business relevance

User research reduces assumption-driven investment, reveals unmet needs and operational constraints, and helps teams prioritise evidence-based opportunities and requirements.

Implementation example

Before automating a support workflow, a team interviews customers and agents, observes case handling, analyses contact reasons, and validates proposed concepts with representative users.

Limitations and common misconceptions

Biased recruitment, leading questions, small or unrepresentative samples, and weak analysis can produce misleading conclusions. What participants say may differ from what they do, and research is not a substitute for product judgement.

Topics

Sources