putting users in ux: research methods for design

   Putting Users in UX

Episode 2

Research Methods for Design

Putting Users in UX Episode 1

Research Methods for Strategy April 29

Episode 2

Research Methods for Design Today

Episode 3

Research Planning, Execution & Analysis Wednesday, June 24

Meet Usability Matters

•  Passionate about making technology work for people

•  Thrive in solving complex design problems

•  Dedication to finding the right solution

Terry Costantino + Steven LeMay

What we’ll be talking about today

Background •  UX Process

•  Research Process, particularly determining research objectives

Research Methods for Design 1.  Card sorting

2.  Usability testing

3.  Collaborative sketching

4.  Online discussion

Wrap-up

UX Process Usability Testing

A/B Testing

Eye Tracking

Heuristic Evaluation

Contextual Inquiry

Interviews

Surveys

Focus Groups

World Café

Usability Testing

Card Sorting

Usability Testing

Collaborative Sketching

Online Discussion

DETERMINE OBJECTIVES PLAN RECRUIT CONDUCT ANALYZE

& REPORT

Research Process

Research Objectives and Activities

Assess the site’s ability to inform and drive users to conversion: •  Do participants understand the offer?

•  Does the content drive them to subscribe?

•  Is there enough of the right kinds of information on the site for participants to

make the decision to subscribe?

•  Is the site meeting their expectations? Is anything missing?    Assess the ease of use of the subscription flow? •  Are participants able to understand requirements for subscribing?

•  Is anything confusing or unclear?

Research Objectives - Examples

Getting Users into

UX Design 1.  Card sorting

2.  Usability testing

3.  Collaborative sketching

4.  Online discussions

1 Card Sorting Understanding how users think about information

Card Sorting

Understand how your audience thinks about information. •  How do they group things?

•  What do they call those groups?

Image  based  on  A  Card  Sort  in  Progress  courtesy  of  Yandle,  CC-­‐BY  2.0  

Image  based  on  A  Card  Sort  in  Progress  courtesy  of  Yandle,  CC-­‐BY  2.0  

2 Usability Testing Finding conceptual and tactical barriers to use and usability

Variations on Usability Testing

Formal Informal

Setting Lab with observation Anywhere

Recruiting Professional Friends and family

Recommendations Fully - documented Straight into the design

Recording Full sessions and clips Little to none

Cost More time and outside costs Very inexpensive

Variations on Usability Testing

Moderated •  Conducted live

•  Facilitator asks what the

participant is thinking

•  Qualitative

•  Finds what and why

Unmoderated •  May be automated

•  Participant completes tasks

without interruption

•  Pretends to be quantitative

•  Finds what but not why

Variations on Usability Testing

Remote •  Across geographic locations

•  No travel

•  Extra technology

In-person

•  In the same room

•  Requires travel

•  Simple technology

3 Collaborative Sketching Working in small groups to sketch an experience

Sketches capture concepts, not detailed design.

•  Sketches are done in small groups, but there could be many groups

•  Each small group can sketch the same experience or different parts of an

overall experience

•  Gets everyone involved, no design experience needed

•  Use sketching to create lots of ideas and broaden thinking

Collaborative Sketching

Image based on Graduate Program Design Workshop courtesy of the Scottish Government, CC-BY 2.0

4 Online Discussions Getting users to discuss your ideas and designs online

Facilitating a conversation with and amongst your audiences.

•  Choose the right online locations for your audiences

•  Devote time to participate fully in the conversation

•  Accept feedback graciously, don’t defend your design but be honest

about design constraints

•  Always be friendly and professional

Online Discussions

Key Research Methods for Design

   Questions?

Putting Users in UX Episode 1

Research Methods for Strategy recap and downloads on our blog

Episode 2

Research Methods for Design Wednesday, May 27

Episode 3

Research Planning, Execution & Analysis Wednesday, June 24

Thank You Terry Costantino and Steven LeMay Usability Matters 215 Spadina Ave., Toronto ON, M5T 2C7 Follow us on Twitter: @umatters 416 598 7770 terry@usabilitymatters.com steven@usabilitymatters.com