Insights from My User Research Journey

What I learn from the research

In my over 2 years of experience as a user researcher, each project has been a unique adventure, offering different challenges and learning opportunities. 

For example, when conducting qualitative research on an e-commerce platform, we began with in-depth interviews to understand user behaviors and motivations. 

One memorable project involved exploring why 70% of users were abandoning their shopping carts. By crafting open-ended questions like, “Can you walk me through your last shopping experience on our site?” we gained rich insights into pain points such as unexpected shipping costs and complicated checkout processes. This approach allowed users to express their thoughts freely, revealing issues we hadn’t anticipated.

For a B2B software product, we employed contextual inquiries. In one project, we observed users in their work environment interacting with a CRM tool. This method provided invaluable data on real-world usage patterns and workflow integration. For instance, we discovered that users were often bypassing key features because they were too complex to use efficiently, highlighting areas for improvement that surveys alone wouldn’t have captured.

Surveys are another essential tool for gathering quantitative data. When constructing questions, clarity is crucial. Instead of asking, “Do you find our app useful?” a more effective question might be, “How often do you use our app for task management?” 

In a survey for a health app, we asked users to rate each feature on a scale from 1 to 5. This approach revealed that 65% of users rated the daily health tracking feature as a 4 or 5, indicating its high value. This insight guided our decision to prioritize enhancements to the health tracking feature in future updates.

Analyzing Research Insights

Once data is collected, the real work begins analysis. The goal is to turn raw data into actionable insights. 

During the e-commerce project, we used affinity mapping to group common themes from user interviews. This visual method helped us identify the most significant pain points, such as confusing navigation and unexpected shipping costs.

In another project involving a mobile app, we employed journey mapping to understand user experiences over time. By plotting out each step of the user’s interaction with the app, we pinpointed moments of frustration and delight. This method highlighted where users struggled and where they found value, guiding our redesign efforts.

Quantitative data analysis often involves statistical methods. For the health app survey, we used correlation analysis to identify relationships between user demographics and feature usage. This revealed, for instance, that younger users preferred the app’s social features, while older users valued its health-tracking capabilities. Such insights were crucial for tailoring marketing strategies and feature enhancements.

Constructing Effective Questions

When constructing open-ended questions, context, and phrasing are everything. Asking, “What do you think of our site?” yields vague responses. Instead, asking, “Can you describe a time when you had trouble finding a product on our site?” provides detailed, useful feedback. In one project, this approach helped uncover that 60% of users had issues with the site’s search functionality, prompting us to implement significant improvements.

Practical Tips for Effective Research

Document Immediately

Write your report as soon as possible after conducting interviews. Fresh memories ensure that details are accurate and insights are rich.

Observe Everything: 

Note down every detail during your research. In the AI-COE project, we listed factors like the number of people available in the room, the internet efficiency there, which device they are using, and How many people are in the room. and whether they feel shy/uncomfortable while using the phone. 

Every small detail can lead us to make an impacted decision, so the AI-COE project research helped us to not use the voice command feature because village women felt shy speaking on the phone when others were present and watching them.

Recommended Reading

For those looking to dive deeper into user research, I highly recommend:

• “Just Enough Research” by Erika Hall

• “Observing the User Experience: A Practitioner’s Guide to User Research” by Mike Kuniavsky

• “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug

These books offer a wealth of knowledge and practical advice that has been invaluable in my own journey.

In conclusion, user research is a dynamic and evolving field. By continually honing our methods and staying curious about user behaviors, we can design products that not only solve problems but also enrich the lives of those who use them.

and last tip “I learned that when conducting interviews, it’s best to take notes with paper and pen instead of using a laptop, tablet, or phone. This shows users that you are genuinely interested in what they are saying.” bdw it works for me

see you in other blogs, Please share your experiences with me, would love to hear that, also if you have any suggestions,  pin me