The Anatomy of a High-Quality UX Research Case Study

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader

When I first started sharing my UX research work, I struggled to present my findings in a way that truly reflected the depth and value of the process. A high-quality UX research case study does more than just list methods and results. It tells a story that connects the problem, the users, and the design decisions in a clear, engaging way. If you want to create case studies that stand out and communicate your impact effectively, understanding their anatomy is key.

A UX research notebook open to sketches and notes

UX Research Case Study: casStart with a Clear Problem Statement

Every strong case study begins with a well-defined problem. This sets the stage and helps readers understand why the research mattered. Instead of vague descriptions, I focus on specific challenges the product or service faced. For example, I once worked on a mobile app where users struggled to complete purchases. The problem statement was simple: Users abandoned the checkout process due to confusing navigation and unclear instructions.

This clarity helps readers immediately grasp the purpose of the research and what success would look like.

Describe Your Research Goals and Questions

Next, I outline what I aimed to learn. This section should connect directly to the problem. For the checkout example, my goals were to:

• Identify pain points in the checkout flow

• Understand users’ expectations during purchase

• Gather feedback on navigation and messaging

  
  

I also list specific research questions, such as: Why do users leave before completing payment? and What information do users need to feel confident? This focus keeps the case study grounded and purposeful.

Explain Your Research Methods

Readers want to know how you gathered insights. I describe the methods I used, why I chose them, and how I conducted the sessions. For instance, I combined usability testing with follow-up interviews. Usability testing revealed where users got stuck, while interviews uncovered their feelings and motivations.

Including details like participant demographics, session length, and tools used adds credibility. For example, I recruited 10 frequent online shoppers aged 25-40 and used a screen recording tool to capture interactions.

Share Key Findings with Evidence

This is the heart of the case study. I present the most important insights clearly and support them with evidence such as quotes, screenshots, or data points. For example:

• Navigation confusion: 7 out of 10 users clicked the wrong button during checkout

• Unclear messaging: Users expected a progress bar but found none, causing uncertainty

• Trust issues: Several users mentioned concerns about payment security

  
  

Using bullet points or short paragraphs makes findings easy to scan. Visuals like annotated screenshots or charts can also help readers grasp the issues quickly.

User testing session heatmap on a computer screen

Describe How Findings Informed Design Decisions

A case study should show how research influenced the product. I explain what changes the team made based on the insights. For the checkout flow, we:

• Added a clear progress bar to guide users

• Simplified navigation buttons to reduce confusion

• Included security badges and reassurances on payment pages

  
  

This section connects research to impact, showing readers the value of your work beyond just findings.

Reflect on Challenges and Learnings

No project is perfect. I share obstacles faced during research and what I learned. For example, recruiting participants took longer than expected, which delayed the timeline. I also realized that combining qualitative and quantitative methods gave a fuller picture.

Being honest about challenges adds authenticity and shows your growth as a researcher.

End with Results and Impact

Finally, I summarize the outcomes. Whenever possible, I include metrics or feedback that demonstrate improvement. After redesigning the checkout, the app saw a 15% increase in completed purchases within two months. User feedback also became more positive around the checkout experience.

This section ties everything together and leaves readers with a clear sense of your contribution.

Creating a high-quality UX research case study takes effort, but it pays off by showcasing your skills and insights clearly. By focusing on a clear problem, purposeful goals, solid methods, evidence-backed findings, and real impact, you build a story that resonates with clients, teams, and hiring managers.