User Experience Research Studies & Methodologies

We specialize in Ethnography, also known as usability research, helping validate design & development decisions by observing how real users interact with your product or app.

Observing Real Users in Real Contexts

Once your end-users are recruited, they perform scenario-based tasks focused on real-world use cases. Key stakeholders can observe interactions directly with your application, prototype, or developmental iteration.

Data collected may include:

  • Subjective-anecdotal feedback
  • Success rates
  • Task times
  • Error rates
  • Subjective-satisfaction ratings

Our experts have facilitated over 300 usability research studies.

User & Field Research

Uncover insights to guide product and app decisions

User Research

Understand which features to add, optimize, or prioritize, and see how customers use your product in their actual work environment.

Field Research

Conduct interviews, contextual inquiries, and persona/target-audience identification to gather actionable insights.

UX Design Audit / Assessment

Expert evaluations using heuristic criteria to provide reports, executive summaries, and usability severity rankings for existing or new systems.

Usability Research Studies

A standard research sequence from planning to actionable insights

Planning & Preparation
  • Initial Consultation Discussion (1 hr)
  • Draft of Study Scenarios (1 revision)
  • Walkthrough of Scenarios (1.5 hr)
  • Schedule Participant Sessions
Conduct Study Sessions
  • Participant sessions up to 45 minutes
  • Real-world scenarios observed
  • Stakeholder observation optional
Debrief & Analysis
  • Debrief Meeting (1 hr)
  • Report including Executive Summary, Participant Data, Research Findings, Usability Issues with Severity Rankings

Terminology:

Usability

ISO 9241 Definition

  • Effectiveness: Accuracy and completeness in achieving goals in a specific environment.
  • Efficiency: Resources expended relative to accuracy and completeness of goal achievement.
  • Satisfaction: Comfort and acceptability of the system to users and those affected.

Source: W3C - Usability ISO 9241 definition

Tailor a Research Study for Your Team

Contact us today to discuss designing a usability research study that fits your organization's product and user needs

Strategic Fit Intake