PHILIP BURGESS

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader In UX research, we often ask: “Which design works best for users?”  While qualitative methods help us uncover why users struggle , A/B testing allows us to validate those findings at scale and connect them directly to business outcomes. What Is A/B Testing in UX Research? A/B testing (also called split testing ) is a controlled experiment where you compare two or more design variants  to see which one performs better against a defined go

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader For years, UX research has been seen as a primarily qualitative practice — interviews, usability tests, field observations. But as digital products scale and data becomes more accessible, analytics is now a critical part of UX research . The ability to measure, track, and visualize user behavior brings depth, rigor, and credibility to our findings. So what exactly is UX Research Analytics , and how can it transform the way organizations

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader When organizations think about UX research, they often picture usability testing or surveys. But UX research is a much broader practice — and at its heart, it comes down to two complementary approaches: qualitative  and quantitative . Both types are essential. Qualitative research uncovers the “why”  behind user behavior, while quantitative research validates the “how much”  and “how often.”  Together, they give teams the insight needed

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Usability testing is the cornerstone of great UX—rich with user feedback, interaction pain points, and design validation. But once the sessions are over, one thing looms large: the dreaded usability report . For many UX researchers, analyzing sessions, pulling quotes, tagging issues, and building a report can take hours —sometimes days . But what if AI could automate that process without sacrificing depth? Here’s how we used AI to automa

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader As researchers, we’re trained to uncover hidden truths, challenge assumptions, and illuminate the details that often go unnoticed. But sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when we pull back the curtain on ourselves. As your UX Research Leader, I believe transparency and authenticity are as important as skill and strategy. So today, I want to share a few things you might not know about me—beyond resumes, research decks, and t

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Delivering a Findings and Recommendations Report  is one of the most important responsibilities of a UX researcher. It’s not just about presenting data—it’s about telling a compelling story, driving action, and inspiring stakeholders  to make better design and business decisions. A report that wows doesn’t just sit in a folder; it shapes product roadmaps, sparks innovation, and earns credibility for the research team. 1. UX Research Find

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader For non-profits, every dollar and every hour of staff time matters. Unlike corporations that measure ROI (return on investment) through revenue growth and market share, non-profits focus on impact, efficiency, and mission outcomes . Yet UX research—often seen as “nice to have”—can deliver significant ROI by helping organizations better serve their communities, donors, and volunteers. Here’s how non-profits can quantify the ROI of UX rese

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Whether you're launching a new product, refining a user experience, or validating a business strategy, research is your compass. But conducting research isn’t just about collecting data—it’s about asking the right questions, choosing the right methods, and translating insights into action. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the research process with clarity and confidence. 1. Define the Research Goals Start by asking: What

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader UX Research (UXR) is one of the fastest-growing fields in design and technology. As businesses strive to deliver seamless user experiences, researchers play a crucial role in uncovering user needs, behaviors, and motivations. If you’ve ever been curious about how people interact with products—or you’ve wanted to make technology more intuitive—UX Research might be the perfect career path. But where do you start? Here’s a clear roadmap for

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Quantitative UX research involves collecting numerical data that can be measured, analyzed statistically, and generalized to larger populations. The focus is on metrics, patterns, and trends—helping teams evaluate usability, identify problem areas, and validate design decisions at scale. Examples of quantitative research in UX include: Surveys & Polls  (CSAT, NPS, SUS scores) Task Success Rates  (e.g., percentage of users who complete a

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Whether you're running usability tests, conducting interviews, analyzing product usage, or recruiting participants, having the right toolbox is essential. Here's a comprehensive guide to top UX research tools for 2025, categorized by purpose. 1. Usability Testing & User Interviews Maze  – A continuous discovery platform offering card sorting, tree testing, prototype testing, surveys, and real‑time reporting. Great for both moderated and

By Philip Burgess – UX Research Leader UX research is more than a toolkit—it’s a mindset. It’s the discipline that helps teams understand users, reduce risk, and design with empathy. But great research doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built on rigor, clarity, and collaboration. Whether you're scaling a global practice or conducting a single usability test, these best practices will help you deliver insights that matter—and drive decisions that stick. 1. Start with Clear Objec

By Philip Burgess – UX Research Leader Task-based scenarios are the backbone of usability testing. They simulate real-world goals users want to accomplish, helping researchers observe behavior, uncover friction, and validate design decisions. But writing them well is harder than it looks. Too vague, and users flounder. Too prescriptive, and you bias the outcome. The sweet spot? Realistic, goal-driven prompts that let users show you how they think. Here’s how to write UX resea

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) research drives product design and improvement, but its impact depends on clear goals and testable assumptions. When UX research objectives and hypotheses connect well, teams gain focused insights that lead to better decisions. Without this connection, research risks becoming vague or unfocused, wasting time and resources. This post explains how to tie UX research objectives and hypotheses together effectively, with

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Usability testing is essential for creating products that truly meet user needs. Choosing between moderated and unmoderated testing methods can shape the quality of insights you gather. Each approach has strengths and pitfalls that affect how well you understand user behavior and preferences. This post breaks down the key dos and don'ts for both moderated and unmoderated usability testing to help you get meaningful results. User particip

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Presenting UX research findings to executive stakeholders can be challenging. Executives often have limited time and focus on high-level outcomes rather than detailed data. To make your research impactful, you need to communicate clearly, highlight key insights, and connect your findings to business goals. This post explains how to present UX research results effectively to executives, ensuring your work influences decisions and drives p

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Usability testing is a key step in creating products that people find easy and enjoyable to use. It involves observing real users as they interact with a product to identify problems and areas for improvement. This process helps teams build better designs, reduce errors, and increase user satisfaction. Understanding the different methods of usability testing, the benefits it brings, and the right moments to apply it can transform how pro

User experience (UX) research plays a crucial role in designing products that truly meet users’ needs. Yet, many teams struggle to decide which type of research to conduct at different stages of product development. Two main approaches—formative and summative UX research—serve distinct purposes and offer unique insights. Knowing when and how to use each can save time, reduce costs, and improve product success. This post breaks down the differences between formative and summat

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Creating a product that looks good on paper is one thing. Making sure it works well for real users is another challenge entirely. Usability evaluation methods help bridge this gap by testing how actual people interact with a product. This process reveals issues that designers and developers might miss, ensuring the final product is intuitive, efficient, and satisfying to use. Understanding these methods is essential for anyone involved i

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Understanding how users interact with products is essential for creating effective and intuitive designs. Task analysis and modeling methods offer UX researchers a structured way to break down user activities, identify pain points, and design solutions that fit real user needs. This post explores key task analysis techniques and modeling methods used in UX research, providing practical insights and examples to help you apply them effecti