The Most Common UX Research Methods—and the Best Practices That Make Them Actually Work
- Philip Burgess
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader
When I first started working in UX design, I quickly realized that understanding users wasn’t just about guessing what they wanted. It required solid research methods that reveal real behaviors and needs. Over time, I learned which UX research methods deliver the most useful insights and how to apply best practices to get the most from them. If you want your designs to truly connect with users, knowing these methods and how to use them effectively is essential.
UX Research Methods:
User Interviews: Listening to Real Voices
User interviews are one of the most straightforward and powerful ways to gather qualitative data. Sitting down with users and asking open-ended questions helps uncover motivations, frustrations, and expectations that you might never see through analytics alone.
Best practices for user interviews:
Prepare a flexible script with key topics but allow the conversation to flow naturally.
Avoid leading questions that push users toward certain answers.
Record sessions (with permission) to review later and catch details you might miss.
Interview a diverse group of users to get a broad perspective.
For example, when redesigning a mobile app, I conducted interviews with users across different age groups. This revealed that older users struggled with small buttons, while younger users wanted faster navigation. These insights directly shaped the design decisions.
Usability Testing: Watching Users in Action
Usability testing involves observing users as they complete tasks with your product. This method highlights where users get stuck, what confuses them, and which features work well.
How to make usability testing effective:
Define clear tasks that reflect real user goals.
Test early and often, even with rough prototypes.
Use think-aloud protocols where users explain their thought process.
Analyze patterns across multiple sessions rather than focusing on one-off issues.
In one project, I watched users try to book tickets on a website prototype. Many struggled to find the date selector. By spotting this early, the team redesigned the calendar interface, which improved task success rates by 30% in later tests.
Surveys and Questionnaires: Gathering Quantitative Insights
Surveys help collect data from a larger audience quickly. They are useful for validating hypotheses or measuring satisfaction and preferences.
Tips for successful surveys:
Keep questions clear and concise.
Use a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions.
Avoid bias by not suggesting answers.
Pilot the survey with a small group before full launch.
For instance, after launching a new feature, I sent out a survey to users asking about ease of use and usefulness. The quantitative data showed 75% found it helpful, but open comments revealed some wanted more customization options. This feedback guided the next update.
Card Sorting: Organizing Content with Users
Card sorting helps understand how users group information and what labels make sense to them. This method is especially useful for designing navigation menus or information architecture.
Best practices for card sorting:
Choose between open card sorting (users create their own categories) or closed card sorting (users sort into predefined categories).
Use digital tools for remote sessions or physical cards for in-person.
Analyze results to find common groupings and naming patterns.
I used card sorting when redesigning a website’s menu. Users consistently grouped services differently than the internal team expected. Adjusting the menu structure based on these findings made the site easier to navigate and reduced bounce rates.
A/B Testing: Comparing Design Variations
A/B testing compares two versions of a design to see which performs better on specific metrics like click-through rates or conversions.
How to run A/B tests effectively:
Test one variable at a time to isolate its impact.
Ensure a large enough sample size for reliable results.
Run tests long enough to account for daily or weekly traffic fluctuations.
Use clear success criteria before starting.
In one case, I tested two button colors on a signup page. The green button increased signups by 12% compared to blue. This simple change had a measurable impact on user behavior.
Ethnographic Research: Observing Users in Their Environment
Ethnographic research involves watching users in their natural setting to understand context and behaviors that might not emerge in labs or interviews.
Key points for ethnographic studies:
Spend time where users interact with your product or service.
Take detailed notes on environment, tools, and social interactions.
Look for unspoken habits or workarounds.
Respect privacy and obtain consent.
During a project for a healthcare app, I visited clinics to observe how nurses used existing tools. This revealed workflow challenges and device limitations that shaped the app’s design to better fit real-world use.
Combining Methods for Stronger Insights
No single UX research method gives a complete picture. The best results come from combining methods to validate findings and cover different angles.
For example, I started with user interviews to explore pain points, followed by usability testing to observe those issues in action. Then I used surveys to quantify how widespread the problems were. This layered approach built confidence in design decisions and reduced guesswork.
Final Thoughts on Making UX Research Work
UX research methods are powerful tools when used thoughtfully. The key is to choose the right method for your question, prepare carefully, and apply best practices to gather honest, useful data. Remember, research is not a one-time task but an ongoing process that keeps your designs aligned with real user needs.
If you want your designs to succeed, start by listening closely to users, watching how they interact, and testing your ideas early. The insights you gain will save time, reduce costly mistakes, and create experiences that truly resonate.
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