Announcement: Handbook of Global User Research

Handbook of Global User Research

Edited by Robert M. Schumacher, Ph.D. Managing Director User Centric, Inc. Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois rschumacher {at} usercentric com October 2009 Due November 2009

Coming in November 2009

Book Outline and Authors

1. Foundations and definition of user research

Schumacher

2. Project management for global research

Bojko, Buttimer, & Zace

3. Preparation

Bosenick, Lew & Darriba

4. Fieldwork For Global User Research Projects

Gaillard, Kirillova, Johnson, Yuan, Barnard, & Koerber

5. Analysis and Reporting

Herd & Haywood

6. Global user research methods

Deboer & Colleagues

7. User research throughout the world

Snitker & Jeffers

8. The role of professional organizations in user research

Rosenzweig

9. The impact of culture on user research

Snitker

10. Closing Thoughts

Schumacher

Key Features

Presents the definitive collection of hard won lessons from user research professionals around the world Includes real-world examples of global user research challenges and provides approaches to these issues Contains anecdotes and hard-won from the field that illustrate actionable tactics for practitioners

Description

User research is global – yet despite its pervasiveness, practitioners are not all well equipped to work globally. What may have worked in Nigeria may not be accepted in Russia, may be done differently in Brazil, may partly work in China, and may completely fail in Kuwait. And what often goes less noticed, but can be equally vexing are technical, logistical and planning issues such as hiring qualified translators, payment procedures, travel issues, setting up facilities and finding test participants.

The Handbook of Global User Research is the first book to focus on global user research. The book collects insight from UX professionals from nine countries and, following a typical project timeline, presents practical insights into the preparation, fieldwork, analysis and reporting, and overall project management for global user research projects. Any user experience professional that works on global projects -- including those new to the field, UX veterans who need information on this expanding aspect of user research, and students -- will need this book to do their job effectively.

Readership

User experience professionals and researchers worldwide, customer experience manager, usability analyst, human factors engineer (analyst, specialist, manager), software/web developers, market researchers, quality personnel, information architects, business analysts, students interested in field work, managers, and product designers who conduct user research globally.

Reviewer Quotes

"Our products increasingly are finding their way around the world. Usable designs need to reflect the diversity of those global users if they are going to be successful, and not just the perspective coming from one lab in a corporate headquarters. Robert Schumacher’s Handbook of Global User Research is like a GPS system for navigating the complexities of that diversity. It is packed with an incredible amount of practical advice, useful tips, and warnings about potential disasters." –

Arnie Lund, PhD, CUXP, Director, User Experience, Microsoft

"Collectively, the authors bring decades and decades of hands-on experience to this book---and it shows. The Handbook of Global User Research offers a wealth of practical tips and advice you can readily rely on in your daily work. But it’s not just a list of do’s and don’ts: this book provides in-depth discussions and history of each topic covered. Anyone doing user research across borders should have a copy of HGUR on their shelf." –