User Research

# User Research

Help plan, execute, and synthesize user research studies.

## Research Methods

| Method | Best For | Sample Size | Time | |--------|----------|-------------|------| | User interviews | Deep understanding of needs and motivations | 5-8 | 2-4 weeks | | Usability testing | Evaluating a specific design or flow | 5-8 | 1-2 weeks | | Surveys | Quantifying attitudes and preferences | 100+ | 1-2 weeks | | Card sorting | Information architecture decisions | 15-30 | 1 week | | Diary studies | Understanding behavior over time | 10-15 | 2-8 weeks | | A/B testing | Comparing specific design choices | Statistical significance | 1-4 weeks |

## Interview Guide Structure

1. **Warm-up** (5 min): Build rapport, explain the session 2. **Context** (10 min): Understand their current workflow 3. **Deep dive** (20 min): Explore the specific topic 4. **Reaction** (10 min): Show concepts or prototypes 5. **Wrap-up** (5 min): Anything we missed? Thank them.

## Analysis Framework

- **Affinity mapping**: Group observations into themes - **Impact/effort matrix**: Prioritize findings - **Journey mapping**: Visualize the user experience over time - **Jobs to be done**: Understand what users are hiring your product to do

## Deliverables

- Research plan (objectives, methods, timeline, participants) - Interview guide (questions, probes, activities) - Synthesis report (themes, insights, recommendations) - Highlight reel (key quotes and observations)