UX research refers to practices that keep users at the center of the design process through methods like field research and usability testing. It is done for several reasons: to create truly relevant designs by understanding user needs, to make products easy and pleasurable to use, and to understand the ROI of UX design changes. Stakeholders in UX research include users, as well as those from business, engineering, and UX teams who can provide different perspectives to ensure the research is on track, considers implementation limitations, and increases engagement across teams.