PHILIP BURGESS

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working on UX projects, I believed that using every research method available would give me the clearest picture of user needs. I thought more data meant better decisions. But soon, I realized that juggling too many methods at once often blurred the insights instead of sharpening them. The challenge is not just collecting data but making sure each method adds value without overwhelming the process or diluting the fin

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) shapes how people interact with products and services. When a design fails to meet user needs, frustration grows, and engagement drops. Evaluative UX research helps identify these issues by testing designs with real users. This process reveals what works, what doesn’t, and where improvements are necessary. Mastering evaluative UX research means creating products that truly serve users, leading to satisfaction and suc

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Ethnography offers a unique window into human cultures, allowing researchers to observe and understand social behaviors, traditions, and everyday life from an insider’s perspective. Unlike surveys or experiments, ethnography immerses the researcher in the community, providing rich, detailed insights that other methods often miss. This post explores what ethnography is, how it works, and why it remains a vital tool for uncovering the comp

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Diary studies are one of the most underutilized but powerful methods in the UX researcher’s toolkit. They give us a window into users’ real lives—capturing behaviors, thoughts, and emotions as they unfold naturally over time. Unlike lab studies or one-off interviews, diary studies help uncover longitudinal patterns  and contextual insights  that are easy to miss in snapshot research. What Are Diary Studies? A diary study asks participant

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

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 User experience (UX) research shapes how products and services meet real user needs. To design meaningful experiences, understanding users through research is essential. UX research splits into two main approaches: qualitative and quantitative. Each offers unique insights, and mastering both helps create well-rounded, user-centered designs. This post explores key techniques in qualitative and quantitative UX research, showing how to appl