A few years ago, I watched my grandma try to order groceries online for the first time. She squinted at the screen, tapped the wrong buttons, and somehow ended up with six bottles of dish soap in her cart. As she turned to me, clearly frustrated, it hit me: no one had designed that app with her in mind.
That moment perfectly captures why UX research methods matter. They’re not just fancy tools for tech companies—they’re how we learn what real people need, want, and struggle with. Let me walk you through some of the most common UX research methods, through the lens of everyday moments.
1. User Interviews
Think of this like having a heart-to-heart with your users. When I sat down with my grandma and asked her about her tech habits, I learned so much more than what any data could tell me. Interviews give you direct insight into people’s goals, frustrations, and mental models. It’s one of the most powerful ways to build empathy.
2. Surveys and Questionnaires
After chatting with my grandma, I sent out a short survey to her friends. I wanted to know how many of them shop online, what apps they use, and what confuses them the most. Surveys are great when you want to reach a broader group quickly and gather quantifiable data.
3. Usability Testing
This one is like watching someone cook using a new recipe—without giving them any instructions. I asked my grandma to walk through the grocery app while I observed quietly. Every pause, mis-tap, or puzzled expression gave me clues about what wasn’t working. Usability testing helps you catch friction points before they become real problems.
4. Card Sorting
Ever wonder how users mentally organize information? With card sorting, I had my grandma group grocery categories in a way that made sense to her—“Breakfast stuff,” “Cleaning,” and “Things I forget until I run out.” This method helps in designing intuitive navigation and menu structures.
5. Field Studies
Sometimes, you just have to go where your users are. Watching my grandma use her tablet while juggling laundry and dinner gave me context that a lab never could. Field studies are about observing real behaviors in natural settings—they reveal the environment’s role in how a product is used.
In the end, good UX research isn’t about fancy jargon or complex tools. It’s about listening, watching, and learning from real people—like my grandma—so we can design experiences that make their lives a little easier. Whether you’re building an app, a website, or anything in between, these methods help you stay grounded in what matters most: the user.
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