Research Methods

Compare two versions of a design to determine which performs better against specific metrics.

Accessibility evaluation ensures that digital products are usable by people of all abilities while also meeting compliance standards. This method helps uncover barriers that affect real users and improve overall usability for everyone. A combination of automated tools, expert reviews, and real-world testing with assistive technology users provides a comprehensive assessment. The process often starts with automated scans to catch common issues, but manual testing is essential for evaluating more nuanced aspects like screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and cognitive load. Real user feedback is invaluable, as no amount of automation can fully replicate the lived experience of someone relying on assistive technology. Although accessibility testing can seem technical and intimidating, it is important to take steps, even small changes, to improve usability for all users.

Analyze quantitative data from digital analytics tools to understand user behavior patterns and identify opportunities for improvement.

Measure UX performance over time using consistent metrics.

Understand how users categorize and organize information to improve information architecture.

Step-by-step evaluation of a task flow from a user's perspective to identify usability issues.

Evaluate competitors' products to identify industry standards, best practices, and opportunities for differentiation.

Evaluate early-stage ideas, wireframes, or prototypes with users before development.

Systematically inventory and evaluate content to identify gaps, redundancies, and improvement opportunities across digital channels.

Observe and interview users in their natural environment while they perform tasks to understand context of use.

Visualize the end-to-end experience of users across touchpoints to identify pain points and opportunities.

Systematically evaluate the consistency, usability, and effectiveness of a design system across digital products.

Evaluate emotional responses and preferences for design alternatives using card sorting or other techniques.

Collect user experiences over time through self-reported entries to understand long-term usage patterns.

Measure where users look on a screen to understand visual attention and cognitive processing.

Observe users in their natural environment to understand real-world behaviors.

Measure where users first click when attempting a task to evaluate navigation intuitiveness.

Show users a design for five seconds and then ask what they recall to evaluate first impressions and clarity.

Facilitated discussions with multiple users to gather diverse opinions and insights.

Expert review of a product against established usability principles to identify potential issues.

Collaborative sessions that bring together diverse users, designers, and stakeholders to identify and address accessibility and inclusion challenges.

Test multiple variables simultaneously to determine optimal combinations for achieving specific goals.

Involves users directly in the design process to create solutions that meet their needs.

Create research-based representations of key user types to guide design decisions and build empathy.

Evaluate interactive mockups of a product before full development to validate concepts and interactions.

Conduct usability testing with users in different locations while actively guiding the session.

Collect usability data from users completing tasks on their own time without a moderator present.

Map the entire service delivery process, including customer-facing touchpoints and behind-the-scenes operations.

Collect quantitative and qualitative data from a large number of users through structured questionnaires.

Break down user tasks into steps to understand workflows and identify optimization opportunities.

Evaluate the findability of content within a hierarchical structure without visual design influence.

Observe real users completing tasks with your product to identify usability issues, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

One-on-one conversations with users to gather in-depth insights about their needs, experiences, and pain points.

Assess how users interact with voice-based interfaces, including voice assistants, IVR systems, and spoken commands. This testing evaluates usability, response accuracy, and overall effectiveness in facilitating tasks. It can help identify friction points in speech recognition, natural language processing, and persona alignment. Key considerations include voice clarity, error handling, adaptability to different accents and speech patterns, and the system’s ability to provide relevant, timely responses. This method is particularly useful for refining conversational design, improving accessibility, and ensuring agent/assistant personas align with user expectations.

Wizard of Oz testing is a research method used to evaluate user interactions with a system that appears fully functional but is actually controlled by a human behind the scenes. This approach allows researchers to test user expectations, behaviors, and usability issues before investing in full development. It is particularly useful for early-stage concept validation, conversational UI testing, and assessing how users respond to AI-driven experiences. Key considerations include scripting realistic system responses, maintaining consistency across test sessions, and gathering qualitative feedback on user reactions and mental models.