- Think about why you picked a specific method.
What type of data you were looking for when you choose a specific method?
For example, if you originally planned a diary study for a duration of one month, you could explore the possibility of shortening it to 12 days. Alternatively, you could opt for conducting in-depth user interviews but incorporate pre-interview homework assignments for participants to gather valuable insights akin to what a diary study would provide.
These approaches demonstrate how you can adapt and optimize your methods to uncover those valuable “golden nuggets” within a shorter timeframe.
2. Think about what is the MOST necessary data that you need?
What are the supplementary data points that are considered “nice to have” but may not be essential due to time constraints? So, you can just easily get rid of it!
Sometimes narrowing the scope of research requires reevaluating and refining the sampling strategy. However, it is important to ensure that this process does NOT compromise the integrity of your research rigor.
This might involve carefully selecting participants from the chosen region or industry to capture diverse perspectives and minimize any potential biases that could compromise the validity of your findings.
3. Look into existing research (Literature review)
If you are working with a company that has its own repository of research, it is advisable to start your literature review from there. However, if such a repository is not available, you can explore utilizing third-party sources like Forrester, Euromonitor, E-Marketer, and others.
These external resources can provide valuable insights and data to supplement your literature review.
4. Add your UX questions to other researchers’ agenda
Adding your UX questions to other researchers’ agendas can save time and resources. Instead of conducting a separate study, you can leverage existing research initiatives, maximizing the efficiency of data collection and analysis.
5. Learn UX industry “Tricks” to do “Faster” research
Trick One: Conduct UXR with internal employees as research participants. However, there are certain considerations to keep in mind when selecting the right employees as research participants.
It is important to avoid individuals working on the exact same project as you to mitigate potential biases. It is advantageous if the chosen participants do not work in the tech or product function, as this helps ensure they have a broader perspective and are not overly influenced by the product lifecycle.
Trick Two: Heuristic evaluation or cognitive walkthrough with UX experts. Consider conducting a heuristic evaluation or cognitive walkthrough with UX designers and researchers from other teams to gather their valuable insights and opinions.
By involving these experts, you can benefit from their expertise and different perspectives, which can help identify potential usability issues and provide valuable recommendations for improvement. Collaborating with UX professionals enhances the rigor and effectiveness of your evaluation process, ensuring a more comprehensive assessment of the user experience.
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