How to choose a UX Research method
A simple guide to choosing a method in UX Research
There are a lot of methods in user research nowadays, but how will you choose the right one for your research project? Every UX Researcher wants to answer their research questions and get valuable insights during the process. Choosing the right method will increase the chance to get answers to your questions and reach your goals.
To help you know which user research method to use, there’s something you need to know before you choose the method;
First: Your Problem
The first thing you need to do before choosing a user research method is to define and understand your problem. What kind of problem that you need to solve? is it about the usability issues on the product? or is it about adding a new feature? Whatever the problem is, make sure you understand it.
Second: Your Goals
After you know your problem and understand it, you also need to set your research goals in order to solve the problem. You choose the method based on the research goals and what kind of data you need to get. Do you want to know why the problem is happening? or do you want to find a new opportunity and expand the market of your product? or do you want to test the design? Ask yourself what you already know and what you want to know as an insight or result.
Third: The 3-Dimensional Framework
After you know about your problem and goals, you also need to know about this framework. This framework consists of the dimensions to take care of before choosing the method. It also described a wide range of research methods. This will help you to understand better the right method for your project.
Dimension 1: Attitudinal vs Behavioral
This dimension can be described by “what people say” vs “what people do”. Attitudinal research looks at a people’s feelings and attitudes towards an experience, meanwhile, behavioural research examines what people do. Where do they click on a page? What navigational path do they through an app/website?
Dimension 2: Qualitative vs Quantitative
This dimension can be described by “why & how to fix” vs “how many & how much”. Qualitative research is better to get an answer about what and why people say or do towards the experience. It deals with words and understanding in more detail. Meanwhile, quantitative research is better to get an answer about how much or how many types of questions. It deals with numbers and graphs.
As I mentioned before that you need to understand your research goals and what kind of data you need to get. Those two dimensions will help you choose the right method.
Dimension 3: Product-Development Stage (Time Dimension)
Another important thing that you need to know before making a choice is to know what current stage is your product. For example, if you’re at the beginning of the product-development process, you’re likely still don’t know much about the direction to take. Knowing about your stage will come in handy. The following table describes where many methods map to these stages in time:
Conclusion
In order to choose the right UX Research method, you need to understand your problem. Then your problem will help you to determine your research goals and what type of data you need. After that, you can use the 3-dimensional framework to answer your questions.
