Librería Portfolio

One key responsibility of product designers and UX practitioners is to conduct formal and informal research to clarify design decisions and business needs. But there's often mystery around product research, with the feeling that you need to be a research Zen master to gather anything useful. Fact is, anyone can conduct product research. With this quick reference guide, you'll learn a common language and set of tools to help you carry out research in an informed and productive manner.

This book contains four sections, including a brief introduction to UX research, planning and preparation, facilitating research, and analysis and reporting. Each chapter includes a short exercise so you can quickly apply what you've learned.

Learn what it takes to ask good research questions
Know when to use quantitative and qualitative research methods
Explore the logistics and details of coordinating a research session
Use softer skills to make research seem natural to participants
Learn tools and approaches to uncover meaning in your raw data
Communicate your findings with a framework and structure



Introduction
Chapter 1The History of Research
Research in Manufacturing
Human Factors
Analytics and Lab Coats
Computers, the Web, and Today
Field Research Takes Root
Parting Thoughts
Planning and Preparation
Chapter 2Good Research Starts with Good Questions
Why Are Good Questions So Hard?
The Basic Structure of a Question
Writing Your Questions
How to Use Different Types of Questions
How to Practice Asking Questions
Exercise: Brainstorming Questions
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 3Quantitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research by the Numbers
Three Focuses of Research
Types of Research Methods
Quantitative Methods: When and Where
Quantitative Methods: When to Avoid
Exercise: Getting to Know Quantitative Research
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 4Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative Research: Can You Feel It?
Three Focuses of Research, Revisited
Qualitative Methods: When and Where
Qualitative Methods: When to Avoid
Qualitative and Quantitative: A Match Made in Heaven
Exercise: Getting the Feel for Qualitative Research
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 5Choosing Your Methods
Quantitative and Qualitative: How to Choose
Mixing and Matching Methods
Exercise: Choosing an Effective Method
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 6Logistics
Planning Session Logistics
Supporting Documentation
Honorarium
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 7Recruiting
Participant Identification
Recruitment Screener
Recruitment Methods
Recruitment Challenges
Exercise: Priming Your Screener
Parting Thoughts
Facilitating Research
Chapter 8Making Research Happen
Rules of Engagement
Dry Runs
Session Flow and Facilitating
Exercise: Meeting Prep
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 9Managing People During Research
Host and Guest Norms
Cultural Considerations
Small Talk Matters
Exercises: Making Small Talk
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 10Improv in Research
What Is Improv?
Rules of Improv
Practical Uses of Improv
Exercise: Simplifying Through Improv
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 11Facilitating Research
Soft Skills Are Hard
Body Language
Microexpressions
Cultural Implications
Exercise: Reading Nonverbal Communication
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 12Debrief Sessions
What Are Debrief Sessions?
Why Debrief?
Debrief Informs Iteration
Exercise: Discussing Observations
Parting Thoughts
Analysis and Reporting
Chapter 13Making Sense of the Mess
Why Bother with Analysis?
Analysis in Product Design
Methods of Analysis
Insights Inform the Design Process
Exercise: Performing a Candyland Analysis
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 14Communicating Insights
Modes of Presenting
Importance of Different Modes
Using the Artifacts
Exercise: Structuring the Research Report
Parting Thoughts
Chapter 15Getting the Most Out of Research
Research Starts with Questions
Research Is Ongoing
Parting Thoughts
Appendix About the Authors
Appendix O'Reilly®: UX Research