Diary Studies in UX Research: What They Are, How to Do Them, Why They Matter, and Best Practices

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader

Understanding users deeply is essential for creating products that truly fit their needs. Diary studies offer a unique way to capture real-life user experiences over time, providing insights that other methods might miss. This post explains what diary studies are, how to conduct them effectively, why they are valuable in UX research, and best practices to follow.

User recording daily experiences in a diary

What Are Diary Studies in UX Research

Diary studies are a qualitative research method where participants record their experiences, thoughts, or feelings about a product or service over a set period. Unlike one-time interviews or surveys, diary studies capture ongoing interactions and context, revealing how users engage with a product in their natural environment.

Participants might log their activities daily or whenever they interact with the product. These entries can be written, audio, video, or photo-based, depending on the study design. This method helps researchers understand long-term behaviors, pain points, and emotional responses that might not surface during a single session.

How to Conduct Diary Studies Effectively

Running a diary study requires careful planning to ensure participants provide useful and honest data. Here are key steps to follow:

Define Clear Objectives

Start by identifying what you want to learn. Are you exploring how users incorporate a fitness app into their daily routine? Or are you interested in frustrations with a new feature? Clear goals guide the study design and participant instructions.

Choose the Right Participants

Select users who represent your target audience. Recruiting diverse participants helps capture a range of experiences. Keep the group manageable—typically 10 to 20 people—to allow for detailed analysis.

Decide on the Diary Format

Choose how participants will record their entries. Options include:

• Written journals

• Voice memos

• Photos or videos

• Digital apps designed for diary studies

  
  

Make sure the format fits your participants’ comfort and the study’s goals.

Provide Clear Instructions and Prompts

Explain what kind of information you want and how often to record it. Use prompts to guide participants, such as:

• Describe your experience using the product today.

• What challenges did you face?

• How did the product fit into your routine?

  
  

Regular reminders help maintain engagement.

Set the Study Duration

Diary studies usually last from one week to a month. The length depends on the product and research goals. Longer studies capture more data but risk participant fatigue.

Collect and Analyze Data

Gather entries regularly to check for completeness and clarify unclear points. After the study, analyze the data for patterns, themes, and insights. Look for repeated issues, emotional highs and lows, and changes over time.

Why Diary Studies Matter in UX Research

Diary studies provide several advantages that make them valuable for UX teams:

• Capture Real Context

Users report experiences in their natural environment, revealing how context influences behavior.

• Track Long-Term Use

They show how user interactions evolve, uncovering issues that appear only after extended use.

• Reveal Emotional Journeys

Participants express feelings and frustrations in the moment, offering rich emotional insights.

• Uncover Hidden Needs

Ongoing self-reporting can highlight unmet needs or workarounds users develop.

• Support Design Decisions

Insights from diary studies help prioritize features and improvements based on real user experiences.

For example, a team designing a meditation app used diary studies to learn that users often struggled to find quiet moments during the day. This insight led to adding short, flexible session options that fit busy schedules.

User interacting with a diary app to log daily experiences

Best Practices for Diary Studies

To get the most from diary studies, follow these guidelines:

• Keep Entries Simple

Avoid asking for lengthy reports. Short, focused entries encourage consistent participation.

• Use Multiple Data Types

Combine text, photos, or audio to capture richer data.

• Maintain Participant Engagement

Send reminders and offer incentives to keep users motivated.

• Pilot the Study

Test your instructions and diary format with a small group before full launch.

• Respect Privacy

Ensure participants know how their data will be used and keep sensitive information confidential.

• Analyze with Context

Consider external factors like time of day or environment when interpreting entries.

• Combine with Other Methods

Use diary studies alongside interviews or usability tests for a fuller picture.

Summary

Diary studies offer a window into users’ daily lives and long-term interactions with products. They reveal context, emotions, and evolving behaviors that other methods might miss. By carefully planning the study, choosing the right participants, and keeping engagement high, researchers can gather valuable insights that improve user experience design. Incorporating diary studies into your UX toolkit helps build products that truly fit users’ needs and routines.