UX Research Methods Explained: What Works and Why

Take any activity – like you reading this article, for instance. Whether you find it enjoyable or tedious depends on a fascinating mix of factors. Is the writing snappy and engaging? Does the information feel valuable? Is the article too short, too long, or just right? Even seemingly minor details – like font choice or page design – can shape your experience.

And here’s where it gets interesting: this isn’t random. It follows a simple rule – if the experience matches or exceeds your expectations, you’ll keep reading. If not, you’ll stop. Easy, right? Now, imagine being the creator of this article. How do you figure out what the reader’s experience is like? The answer: UX research.

What is UX research and why is it important?

No matter where they are or what industry they’re in, today’s developers can’t just focus on making a product that works – they have to make sure it feels good to use too. But how do they figure that out?

That’s where UX research comes in. It’s like getting to know your users on a deeper level – understanding what excites them and what frustrates them when they interact with your product. By studying how people behave, what they need, and what they expect, UX research uncovers the little details that make an experience either delightful or disappointing.

This insight shapes the design process, helping creators make choices that ensure the final product isn’t just functional but also enjoyable and intuitive. By digging into user interactions, developers can spot pain points, learn what motivates people, and fine-tune their product to feel personal and easy to use.

In the end, UX research does more than improve a product – it creates a connection, bridging the gap between the people who build it and the people who use it.

Check our UI and UX design services

Main types of user research

User research can be divided into two primary categories: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research deals with numbers, data, and measurable outcomes – it’s all about statistics and calculations. Qualitative research, on the other hand, focuses on understanding experiences and observations. It provides descriptive insights that offer context and depth that can’t be measured or computed.

What is the key difference between qualitative and quantitative UX research?

So, the main difference between qualitative and quantitative research comes down to the type of data they collect.

Qualitative research is all about the “why” behind user behaviors. As a result, it’s more descriptive and uses methods like interviews and observations to dig deeper into how people think and feel about a given experience. Quantitative research, however, focuses on things that can be measured. In other words, it helps answer questions like “how many” or “how much,” and gives designers hard numbers to guide their decisions.

Both types of user research are crucial, especially in software development. Qualitative research provides valuable insights into user needs, while quantitative research helps validate those findings with concrete data. Together, these methods complement each other, giving you, the creator, a bigger picture of how others perceive your product.

Other types of UX research

Some UX designers have developed what we can think of as “subtypes” of UX research to get a deeper understanding of user and customer behavior. While many of these methods fit into the main categories we talked about earlier, they offer a more detailed approach to designing a truly effective user experience. Let’s dive into a few of them:

Evaluative research

Evaluative research is all about testing and determining how well a product or service meets user needs. It includes methods like usability testing or A/B testing, where designers observe users interacting with the product and gather feedback on what’s working and what’s not. The goal is to spot any issues or areas of frustration so improvements can be made to make the experience smoother.

Exploratory research

Exploratory research is all about getting a deeper look at how users behave, what they think, and where they’re struggling early on in the design process. It usually involves methods like user interviews and surveys, where designers see how people actually use a product. This helps designers understand what users really need, what they’re expecting, and what might be missing in their experience.

Generative research

Generative research, as the name suggests, is about generating fresh ideas that can solve real user problems or maybe inspire new features or even entire products. It usually involves brainstorming sessions, ethnographic studies, or co-design workshops, where designers and users collaborate to explore new possibilities together. The goal is to spark creativity and come up with innovative solutions that haven’t been tried before.

Seven best UX research methods

UX research offers a wide variety of methods, and every designer adds their own twist to solving unique challenges. But at the core, there are seven key methods that most designers rely on. When combined, these methods create a clear picture of how users feel about a product or service. Let’s break them down one by one and explore each in detail.

1. User interviews: Conducting one-on-one conversations with users to gain deep insights into their behaviors, needs, and frustrations. These conversations help designers get to the heart of why users do what they do and uncover issues that might not be immediately obvious through other methods.

2. Focus group: Bringing a small group of users together to talk about their thoughts and experiences with a product. It’s a great way to hear different perspectives, bounce around ideas, and see how people react when they discuss things in a group. This can uncover common themes or issues that might not come up in one-on-one chats.

3. Field study: Watching users interact with a product in their natural environment. Instead of studying them in a lab or controlled space, this approach shows how the product fits into their daily routines. It helps designers understand the real-world challenges users face, so they can make improvements that truly matter.

4. A/B testing: Comparing two different versions of a design to see which performs better with users. It’s a straightforward way to make smart decisions about design choices and figure out what resonates best with the audience.

5. 5-second testing: Showing users a design for just five seconds and then asking them what they remember. This method is all about testing first impressions and making sure the key message or elements stand out right away. It’s a quick way to see if users immediately understand what’s important.

6. Tree testing: Finding out how easy it is for users to navigate a website or app. Users are given tasks and asked to find specific information using only the text-based menu or site map. This helps designers figure out if the navigation makes sense or if tweaks are needed to improve it.

7. Empty state UX: Checking users’ reactions in moments where there’s nothing to display, like when they first open an app and need to learn how to find, create, or add content. It’s an opportunity to test how user-friendly the product feels from the very first interaction and to offer instructions or suggestions that encourage users to take action.

How do you choose the right UX research method for a project?

As with most things in life, where there are plenty of options, the answer is: it depends. Choosing the right UX research method comes down to your project goals and what stage you’re in.

So, if you’re just getting started and need to brainstorm or generate ideas, user interviews or brainstorming sessions are a great place to begin. Once you have a product or prototype, you can shift to methods like A/B testing or usability testing to gather more specific feedback.

In the end, it’s about considering your resources – time, budget, and team – to pick the research methods that fit best with where you are in the process.

A UX research and software development partner

Good UX research and software development take a lot of time and effort. If you tried to handle it all on your own, you’d be using up tons of your resources, which isn’t optimal, considering how fast the world is moving and how efficient competitors can be. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone.

At Software Mind, we’ve got a dedicated software development team that can not only build the product you need from the ground up but also offer UI and UX design services to help you identify areas for improvement and make your software more enjoyable to use. So, no matter where you are in the software development process, we’re here to ensure your product works well and feels great. If that sounds like what you need, contact us to learn more.