User research gains meaning through product decisions to be made after the interviews are completed. Collecting lots of notes does not automatically tell you which screen needs to be changed. Before starting the research, it is necessary to write down the uncertainty in one sentence: Why do people stop when registering, what information can they not find, or in what order do they do their current tasks?
Select participant based on behavior
The person who uses the product every day and the person who tries it for the first time will not experience the same problems. Separating new and experienced users makes it easier to interpret findings. Instead of recruiting participants from a group of friends who seem suitable for the conversation, reach out to people who represent the real tasks of the target users. Don't present the results of a small study as the opinion of the entire market.
Distinguish between interpretation and observation
“This screen is complicated” is a comment; “The participant opened three pages to find delivery information” is an observation. Secondly, it allows researching what information is needed and where. Instead of asking the user to design a solution, ask him to describe his last work, the documents he used, and the obstacles he encountered.
Draw the flow and keep track of the decision
The beginning, decision points, error situations and completion step should be visible on the user flow. Note which finding supports each change. A single person's choice and a repeated behavior should not be evaluated with the same weight.
In research submission, it is not just the interview transcript; There should be priority issues, suggested trials, and unanswered questions. Subsequent prototype testing tests these decisions. Thus, the research does not remain a separate report, but becomes the justification for the screen design.
Frequently asked questions
Can the user interview note be a direct screen decision?
It is necessary to separate the note into observed behavior, need and comment. Write clearly on what finding the change to be made on the screen is based and what it aims to improve.
Is age alone taken into account when selecting participants for user research?
Age may be relevant in some projects; however, the behavior and experience associated with the product may be more decisive. Select participants based on the research question; Don't make them easily accessible the only criterion.
