2. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Who is this guy?
EPAM
@dafark8
Co-Author of UX Research
Research, Strategy, Workshops,
Improvisation
CollaborativeImprov.com
#PracticalResearch
NOW AVAILABLE!
NOW AVAILABLE!
3. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
What is Today
• Focus on qualitative, field
research
• The Process & Tools
• Understanding what goes into
research
NOT
• Quantitative
• Choosing Methods
• How to be a researcher (spoiler,
everyone can be)
5. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Section 1
Planning & Preparation
Once I have a well-defined question,
it’s simple to identify which information
resources will best answer it, and then
collect, merge, and analyze them to
answer the question.
- Matt Wakeman
“
6. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
1. Validates initial assumptions and existing research
2. Ensures you cover all necessary topics
3. Helps session flow smoothly
4. Research reduces design debt which reduces
technical debt
Why Plan?
15. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Asking Good Questions
The hardest part of the job
The hard part is translating our
big research questions into good
interview questions.
- Colin MacArthur
“
16. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
A good question seeks to explore the
unknown in a targeted and guided way,
while putting the participant at ease to
open up and provide feedback you might
not have expected or anticipated.
Good Questions, Defined
18. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Trademarks of a Question
Good Questions Are:
• Open-ended
• Balance specificity
• Flow naturally
Bad Questions Are:
• Leading
• Shallow
• Personal or
unconscious bias
19. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Recruitment
Finding the Right People
Without (recruiting) and the users
it brings, all other parts of
designing a product or service fall
back on the team’s assumptions.
- Jeremy Canfield
“
22. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Logistics
Managing Your Day
“If you approach the problem
incorrectly or without mindful
thought, then your entire solution
may be false - or at best ineffective.
- Ron Strawbridge
23. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Logistics - An Overview
• Travel Time
• Office or Cities
• Building Access
• Dress Code
• Workspace
• Office or Coffee Shop
• Technology is not your friend
26. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Dry Runs
• Perfect Practice Prevents Piss
Poor Performance
• Practice
• Practice
• Practice
• then practice one more time
• Also, find your voice
• Even unmoderated sessions
get rehearsed!
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1979.html
28. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Introductions & Warming Up
“Hi, my name is…”
• Set a friendly tone
• Break down barriers
• Establish trust
• Humanize yourself & your
team
• The art of small talk
30. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Improvisation in Research
• Build off feedback
• Support your players
• The participant is the star
• Failure is OK
• Build off experiences and have
an open mind
CollaborativeImprov.com
#CollaborativeImprov
35. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Section 3
Analysis & Reporting
The real key to unlocking
game-changing opportunities
for growth is to deeply
understand the people you are
looking to serve.
- Ofer Deshe
“
40. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
Find Your Story
• Who is your audience?
• What do you want to achieve?
• What should you use to
communicate that goal?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosenfeldmedia/25672123376/in/album-
72157665621011091/
41. #PracticalResearch @dafark8
What Story Do You Tell?
• Business strategy
• Product roadmap
• Discoveries & opportunities
• Identify additional research
• Identify knowledge gaps