User Research

Moderated prototype testing

Moderated usability/prototype testing is a usability testing technique that involves the active participation of a trained facilitator or moderator.

Source: Justinmind, “Moderated vs unmoderated usability testing: Which do you need?”

Surveys

A user experience (UX) survey collects quantitative and qualitative data about a user’s interactions and experience with a website or digital product.

Source: hotjar, “How to use UX surveys to gain product experience insights”

Interviews

User interviews are typically performed with the potential users of a design, as part of an ideation phase or during early concept development. User interviews follow a structured methodology whereby the interviewer prepares a number of topics to cover, makes a record of what is said in the interview, and systematically analyzes the conversation after the interview.

Source: Interaction Design Foundation, “User Interviews”

Diary Studies

A diary study is a research method used to collect qualitative data about user behaviors, activities, and experiences over time.

Source: Kim Salazar, “Diary Studies: Understanding Long-Term User Behavior and Experiences”

Focus Groups

In a focus group, you bring together 6–9 users to discuss issues and concerns about the features of a user interface.

Source: Jakob Nielsen, “The Use and Misuse of Focus Groups”