UX research methods practiced by design leaders

YUJ Designs

Proving the value proposition of UX design is one tough task. One can employ different methods to measure and quantify the value of the work UX design companies put in. To name a few, these methods involve user interviews usually followed by the contextual inquiry, focus groups as well as usability testing methods, gathering insights by conducting surveys to gauge user interests and experiences. These methods are highly effective.

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Let us now look at the five methods that are the most effective of all.

The interviews:

Users always interact with brands according to their own experiences, tastes, perceptions or points of view. It is imperative that we gather this data, behavioral patterns to benefit a better understanding of the users’ needs and wishes. This method can be effective but it depends on the questions you pose. Most of the time, your next question depends on the answers you get to the previous question. The questions should be designed in such a way that these help the interviewee open up and provide more information.

The contextual inquiry:
This concept allows you to gauge user experience over a range of activities depending on the situation. This is a cross between interviews and observation and combines the strengths of both. The method includes observing and asking questions of the user as if she/ he is the master craftsman and the interviewer is the new apprentice. It is more of a discovery process.

The focus groups:
This method helps the designers to explore the ideas and attitudes of people, helps in observing patterns. One of the favorites among the leaders in UX design. The method has a lot of advantages where one can talk to many people at the same time, allow users to build on each others’ ideas. It is a useful method in generating users’ reactions to prototypes.

Usability testing:

This method plays a great role in realizing why people respond to certain occasions in a specific manner. The primary goal of this method is to improve the usability of the product being developed. This method is quite useful in analyzing the data, diagnosing the real problems and recommending changes to fix those problems.

The survey:

The surveys are designed to be just like questionnaires, but with more direct questions. The online surveys are the ones that are more effective. They help you to gather rich user data and feedback as well at the same time. The surveys can be in the form of multiple-choice questions. However, these are not as effective as when you have the user respond in their own words. This can give you detailed insights into customer behavior.

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To conclude, all these methods are equally effective in deciding the customer preferences. When you know your users you know how to keep them happy. This is a first step towards building a successful product. It gives you access to greater levels of information. A better-informed design drives effective outcomes in delivering well-connected digital and physical experiences. You need the expertise of a top UX design company to understand the users’ experiences in this manner.