How UX Research Case Studies Differ From UX Design Case Studies
- Philip Burgess
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader
When I first started working in the UX field, I often found myself confused by the terms "UX research case study" and "UX design case study." They seemed similar on the surface, but as I gained experience, I realized they serve very different purposes and highlight distinct parts of the product development process. Understanding these differences can help you communicate your work more clearly and showcase your skills effectively.
What Is a UX Research Case Study?
A UX research case study focuses on the process of gathering and analyzing data about users. It tells the story of how you identified user needs, behaviors, and pain points through various research methods. The goal is to provide evidence that supports design decisions or product improvements.
Key Elements of UX Research Case Studies
Research Goals
Clearly state what you wanted to learn. For example, understanding why users abandon a checkout process or how they navigate a mobile app.
Methodology
Describe the research methods used, such as interviews, surveys, usability testing, or field studies. Explain why you chose these methods.
Participant Details
Share who the participants were, how many, and how you recruited them. This adds credibility and context.
Findings
Present the data collected, including quotes, statistics, or observed behaviors. Use visuals like charts or heatmaps to make insights clear.
Recommendations
Suggest actionable changes based on the research. This might include redesigning a feature, simplifying navigation, or adding new functionality.
Example
In one project, I conducted usability tests on a fitness app. The research revealed users struggled to find the workout history section. Based on this, I recommended moving the history to a more prominent spot on the home screen. This change improved user satisfaction scores by 20% in follow-up tests.
What Is a UX Design Case Study?
A UX design case study highlights the creative and problem-solving aspects of designing a product or feature. It shows how you translated research insights into wireframes, prototypes, and final designs. The focus is on your design process, decisions, and the impact of your work.
Key Elements of UX Design Case Studies
Problem Statement
Define the design challenge you aimed to solve. For example, improving the onboarding experience for new users.
Research Summary
Briefly mention relevant research findings that informed your design choices.
Design Process
Walk through your steps: sketching, wireframing, prototyping, and testing. Include iterations and explain why you made changes.
Visuals
Show your design work with images of wireframes, mockups, or interactive prototypes.
Outcome
Share results such as increased engagement, reduced errors, or positive user feedback.
Example
For a travel booking website, I redesigned the search results page after research showed users felt overwhelmed by too many options. I simplified the layout, added filters, and improved the visual hierarchy. Post-launch analytics showed a 15% increase in bookings from the search page.
How These Case Studies Complement Each Other
While UX research and design case studies focus on different parts of the process, they are deeply connected. Research provides the foundation for design decisions, and design tests the hypotheses generated by research. Together, they tell a complete story of how a product evolves to meet user needs.
When to Use Each Case Study
Use a UX research case study when you want to highlight your skills in understanding users and generating insights.
Use a UX design case study when you want to showcase your creativity, problem-solving, and design execution.
If you have experience in both areas, consider combining elements from each to demonstrate your full range of abilities.
Tips for Writing Effective Case Studies
Be clear and concise
Avoid jargon and explain your process in simple terms.
Use visuals wisely
Images and charts help readers grasp complex information quickly.
Tell a story
Frame your case study as a journey from problem to solution.
Highlight impact
Show measurable results whenever possible.
Reflect on challenges
Share what you learned and how you adapted.
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