Catalog of UX Research Methods

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There are 93 methods waiting for you to explore.

5 Whys

The 5 Whys method is an iterative problem-solving technique that helps identify the root cause of a problem by asking 'why?' five times or more.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

5W1H Method

A detailed guide to understanding and implementing the 5W1H method (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) to clarify and solve design problems effectively.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Analysis of Cognitive Work

A comprehensive research design that enables understanding of information behavior, activities, and motives of actors in complex environments in a specific context.

Analytical MethodsIn-person observation Contextual inquiry Heuristic evaluation

Behavioral Mapping

Behavioral mapping is a quantitative research method for documenting and analyzing people's behaviors and movements within specific physical environments.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

Benchmarking

Benchmarking is a comprehensive method for measuring and analyzing processes and performance within an organization, comparing competitive solutions, and identifying best practices to drive continuous improvement.

Data-Driven MethodsUser Journey Analytics

Bodystorming

An extensive guide to the bodystorming ideation method, which uses role-playing and physical movement to gain a deeper understanding of a product or service environment, allowing participants to brainstorm and explore solutions by enacting scenarios.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a technique that allows the creation of a large number of ideas in a limited time, fostering a creative atmosphere for problem-solving.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Brainwriting

Brainwriting is a creative method based on brainstorming that encourages individual idea generation in a group setting, allowing everyone to participate, including those who may be hesitant to speak up.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Bubble Test

The Bubble Test is a UX method that uses images to explore participants' emotions, preferences, and opinions. It is suitable for working with children or adults and in various research contexts, such as sensitive topics, interviews, or focus groups.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

Business Model Canvas

A visual and comprehensive tool for defining and describing the business model of a product or service, focusing on essential aspects like infrastructure, offering, customers, finances, and resources.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Business Origami

Business Origami is a paper prototype activity that helps create a mental model of a future service system, allowing participants to discover new possibilities and optimize the system.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Card Sorting

Card sorting is a user-oriented research method used to organize a large amount of concepts and uncover users' mental models of a particular problem by sorting items into categories.

Participatory MethodsCard sorting

Co-Discovery Testing

Co-discovery testing is a UX method involving pairs of participants testing a product together, enabling the discovery of new ways of use and usability issues by leveraging their natural interactions.

Testing MethodsUsability testing

Collage

Collage is a UX research method that involves participants creating visual artifacts to express their attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and desires, helping to understand user values and emotions.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Concept Poster

A design method for capturing the main elements and ideas of a service on a piece of paper or flipchart, for easy presentation to stakeholders.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Contact Points Map

Identify and visualize the service contact points to get a clear overview of the contact points and channels through which the service experience is formed.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Contextual Interview

A research method combining elements of interviews and observation to understand user behavior within the context of their environment, identify needs and problems, and test products or services.

Interview MethodsContextual Inquiry

Contingency Tables

Contingency tables are used for detailed description of quantitative data and comparison of differences between various respondent groups. They help analyze the relationship between two categorical variables.

Data-Driven MethodsWeb Analytics

Cultural Probe

A method to examine the behavior and values of users in their cultural context through a collection of tools and assignments.

Participatory MethodsCultural Probes

Decision Matrix

A method to evaluate and compare multiple solutions based on defined criteria and weights, assisting in the selection of the best solution.

Analytical MethodsAccessibility audit

Delphi Method

A research method that involves gathering opinions and insights from a panel of experts to estimate future trends and developments in a specific field.

Survey MethodsRemote interviews Email surveys

Design Challenge

A method to define and frame a complex design problem, align team views, and generate initial solutions.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Design Sprint

Design Sprint is a rapid design process for new products developed by Google Ventures, which simulates the entire design process, from understanding and defining the problem, to ideation, solution selection, prototyping, and validation of ideas.

Testing MethodsCo-design sessions Usability testing

Design Studio Method

A visual and collaborative method for generating new design ideas and solutions by drawing, discussing, and iterating on various concepts within a team.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Designer Checklist

A comprehensive checklist to guide designers through various stages of the design process, ensuring effective planning and progress in projects.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Desk Research

Desk research is a quick and cost-effective method for gathering information and data from available sources, such as the internet, libraries, or databases. It is useful for mapping trends, analyzing competition, and preparing for further field research.

Analytical Methods

Dot Voting

A democratic and engaging method for team decision-making using stickers to vote on various options.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Draw a Toast

A quick activity for warming up visual thinking and systematic problem-solving, often used as an icebreaker or before more complex design work.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Elevator Pitch

A brief, persuasive speech to spark interest in an idea, product, or project, typically lasting 60 seconds to 2 minutes.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Emotional Map

An analytical method used to visualize user emotions during their journey with a service, capturing the emotions of users during the service journey and understanding the decision-making of users.

Analytical MethodsEmotional Mapping

Empathy Map

Empathy Map is a visual tool to capture and share insights on users' emotions, helping researchers and designers understand their feelings and experiences.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Ethnography in the Field

A comprehensive research method that combines shadowing, contextual interviews, and observation to understand target audience and their problems in depth.

Interview MethodsIn-person observation Contextual inquiry

Expert Interview

Gain valuable insights and expert knowledge through a structured interview with a professional in the field.

Interview MethodsIn-person interviews

Eye Tracking

Eye tracking is a UX method that tracks eye movement using an eye camera to analyze users' visual attention on web pages and applications.

Observational MethodsEye tracking

Fakedoor Test

A testing method to quickly verify user interest and behavior hypotheses towards a not yet existing service or functionality by creating an offer and measuring conversions.

Testing MethodsA/B testing

Five Second Test

A usability testing method to evaluate the understandability and communication of essential elements in a website or application, providing quick and inexpensive feedback.

Testing MethodsUsability testing

Focus Group

A focus group is a technique for conducting group interviews to quickly gain insight into the opinions and attitudes held by a specific group of people.

Interview MethodsIn-person interviews

Gantt Chart

A Gantt Chart is a visual representation of a project schedule, used to plan and track tasks and timelines in a structured manner.

Analytical Methods

Giga-Mapping

Giga-mapping is a comprehensive visualization method used for mapping complex problems, based on the principles of systemic design. It combines elements of mind maps, diagrams, user scenarios, and collages to provide a holistic understanding of the problem and its broader contexts.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Graffiti Wall

Graffiti Wall is a method suitable for collecting quick feedback from users by allowing them to express their thoughts and emotions on a large surface, using post-it notes or prepared stickers.

Survey MethodsIn-person surveys

Work-Breakdown Structure

A method for creating a hierarchical structure of work activities that provides an overview of all the necessary steps to complete a project.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

I Wish That...

A research method that helps discover users' desires and opinions by collecting suggestions and comments written on stickers or papers placed in designated areas.

Survey MethodsIn-app surveys

In-Depth Interview

An in-depth interview is a semi-structured method used to gain deep insights into the motives, behavior, and opinions of an informant.

Interview MethodsIn-person interviews

Information Horizons

A UX method that helps understand how people work with information sources and their information behavior by mapping and prioritizing these sources from the users' perspective.

Interview MethodsIn-person interviews

Inspiration from Outside

A UX method to gain new perspectives and ideas by observing and learning from unrelated industries and services.

Interview MethodsIn-person observation Remote observation In-person interviews Remote interviews

Keyword Analysis

Keyword Analysis is a method used to identify and organize commonly used terms related to user problems, search patterns, and website content.

Data-Driven MethodsWeb analytics

Landing Page

A landing page is an introductory webpage designed to lead users to conversion, such as registration or product ordering. It is used to quickly test interest in a proposed service or collect potential customer contacts.

Testing MethodsA/B testing

Lean Canvas

Lean Canvas is a one-page project planning tool that helps you describe your project and identify the biggest risks for start-ups and high-risk projects.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

A facilitated workshop technique using LEGO bricks for solving complex problems, enhancing teamwork, and rapid prototyping in a constructive atmosphere.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Lotus Blossom

A brainstorming method that allows for the organization and visual representation of ideas, leading to the generation of new, thematically-related ideas.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Love Letter

A creative UX method that helps discover users' emotional connections and hidden insights by having them write love or breakup letters to a brand, product, or service.

Interview MethodsIn-person interviews Co-design sessions

Mind Map

A visual method for organizing ideas, generating new concepts, and visualizing information using a hierarchical, branching structure.

Participatory MethodsAffinity Diagramming

Mock-up

A mock-up is a simple prototype used to visualize and test a product or service during the design process, helping gather cheap and quick feedback from users.

Testing MethodsUsability testing

Mood Board

A mood board is a collage-like method used to visually define the atmosphere of a proposed service, conveying values, ideas, and emotions that are difficult to verbalize.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Mystery Shopping

Mystery shopping is a research method used to evaluate and gather data on user experiences with an existing service by disguising the evaluator as a real user, providing valuable qualitative and quantitative data.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

Net Promoter Score

Net Promoter Score is a simple metric used to assess customer loyalty based on a single question, gauging their likelihood to recommend a company, product, or service to others.

Survey MethodsOnline surveys

Observations

A UX research method to understand and describe human behavior by observing people in natural environments or prepared situations, noting actions, interactions, and context.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

Parallel Design

Parallel Design is a UX method where several design teams work on the same task simultaneously, resulting in multiple prototypes. The best ideas from each prototype are combined to create the final design solution.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Personas

Personas are archetypes of current or future service users, created from user research data, to help design solutions tailored to their needs.

Analytical Methods

PEST Analysis

A PEST analysis is a strategic tool used to evaluate the impact of external factors from the fields of politics, economics, socio-cultural life, and technology on a project's success.

Analytical Methods

Pie, Bar, and Line Graphs

Learn how to use pie, bar, and line graphs smartly and efficiently to visualize quantitative data, express differences and trends, and present results to stakeholders.

Data-Driven MethodsUser journey analytics

Pilot Operations

Pilot Operations involve testing a functional prototype in real-world conditions to assess its functionality and gather insights for improvement before completion.

Testing MethodsUsability testing

Positioning Map

A tool to organize data from desk research and user research, showing the differences in how people perceive alternative or competitive solutions based on selected criteria.

Analytical Methods

Positive Feedback

A UX method designed to gather feedback within a team and improve teamwork and the sense of belonging using the 'I like, I wish, What if' approach.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Priority

A UX method for organizing requirements or aspects of a problem based on their importance, helping teams prioritize and allocate resources accordingly.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Problem Tree Method

Problem Tree is an analytical method for teams to hierarchically illustrate the causes and effects behind a design challenge and collectively generate potential solutions.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Product Reaction Cards

Product Reaction Cards is a UX method that uses a set of cards with adjectives to help users describe their perception of a product or service.

Testing MethodsUsability testing

Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a research method that allows for a quick and relatively inexpensive collection of data from a large number of people, to describe target groups and understand their characteristics, opinions, and attitudes.

Survey MethodsOnline surveys Paper surveys

Rapid Prototyping

Learn how to create and test the first version or model of your product with rapid prototyping, using sketches and other simple materials.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Research Communities

Create an online community to gather feedback, insights, and opinions from users or customers, helping improve the product or service design.

Survey MethodsCo-design sessions Online surveys

Safari Method

The Safari Method is a UX research technique that helps identify problems and gaps in a service by focusing on personal experiences and examining contact points and interactions.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

Secret Voting

A democratic decision-making method that allows team members to vote anonymously on ideas and proposals, preventing undue influence from others.

Participatory Methods

See - Think - Do

A framework for measuring and evaluating data by dividing users into four groups according to their decision-making phases, enabling targeted communication and user behavior measurement.

Analytical MethodsUser journey analytics

Service Blueprint

A visual diagram that provides a detailed description of a service or part of it, focusing on both the user experience perspective and the internal processes perspective.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Service Journey

A service journey is a visualization of the user experience that maps a sequence of contact points users encounter and identifies factors influencing satisfaction.

Participatory MethodsAffinity diagramming

Shadowing

Shadowing is a UX research method that involves a researcher accompanying a subject in their natural environment to conduct non-participatory observation of their activities and behavior without interfering.

Observational MethodsIn-person observation

Six Thinking Hats

A method developed by Edward de Bono for effective individual and group problem-solving, encouraging team members to look at a specific problem from various perspectives.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Stakeholder Mapping

A visual representation of different groups and their relationships relevant to a design challenge, helping to identify key stakeholders and understand their needs and problems.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Storyboarding

A visualization technique that employs comics to showcase a user's interaction with a proposed service, focusing on the narrative rather than illustration quality.

Participatory Methods

SWOT Analysis

A strategic planning method for identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a project or organization.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

System Usability Scale

A quick and effective method for determining the usability of a website or application using a standardized questionnaire.

Survey MethodsOnline surveys

Thematic Analysis

Thematic analysis is a method used to organize, classify, and discover connections between ideas generated from brainstorming or research by sorting them into categories based on common characteristics and themes.

Participatory MethodsAffinity Diagramming

Tree Testing

Tree testing is a user testing method that focuses on verifying the understandability and findability of a website's information architecture, helping improve the user experience.

Testing MethodsUsability testing

User Flow

User flow is a method to map the path users take to achieve their goals, identifying potential issues and improving overall experience.

Analytical MethodsUser journey analytics

User Journey

A step-by-step guide to mapping the user's journey through a website or service, identifying potential issues and areas for improvement.

Analytical MethodsUser journey analytics

User Testing

A method to assess how users interact with your product or service, identify problems they encounter, and understand their needs and expectations.

Testing MethodsUsability Testing

Value Proposition Canvas

The Value Proposition Canvas is a tool that helps discover the real needs and problems of customers, ensuring the creation of a service or product that they truly want.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Van Westendorp Method

A widely used method for researching price sensitivity and perception to determine the optimal price users are willing to pay for a product or service.

Survey MethodsOnline surveys

Website Traffic Analysis

A method to analyze user behavior on a website or web service, identify patterns and issues, and segment users based on their actions and preferences.

Data-Driven MethodsWeb analytics

Wireframe

Wireframes are simple, black and white designs used to determine the structure and layout of content in websites and applications, focusing on element placement, hierarchy, and function.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a research method that involves a researcher hidden from the test participant. The participant interacts with a service interface that the researcher and designer can modify during the test.

Testing MethodsUsability Testing

Word Cloud

A word cloud is a visualization tool that displays a collection of words with different sizes and colors, highlighting the most frequently used words in a given text. It provides a quick orientation in key words and is suitable for first analysis of qualitative data.

Analytical Methods

World Café

A co-creation method that promotes the development and sharing of ideas among different stakeholders, guiding discussions in small groups to gain insights and opinions on a specific topic.

Participatory MethodsCo-design sessions

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