Question 1

What is the difference between user research and analytics?

Accepted Answer

Analytics (quantitative) shows what users do. Research (qualitative) reveals why they do it. Both are essential—analytics identifies patterns, research explains motivations. Use them together.

Question 2

How many users do I need to interview?

Accepted Answer

5-8 users reveal most usability issues for qualitative research. More users add diminishing returns. For quantitative research (surveys), you need larger samples. Start small, research often.

Question 3

How do I recruit users for research?

Accepted Answer

Reach out to existing users directly. Use your email list. Post in relevant communities. Platforms like UserTesting and Lyssna provide participants. Offer small incentives for their time.

Question 4

What questions should I ask in user interviews?

Accepted Answer

Ask about their experience, not your product. "Tell me about the last time you..." "What was frustrating about..." "Walk me through how you currently..." Open-ended questions reveal more than yes/no.

Question 5

How do I avoid biasing users during research?

Accepted Answer

Don't lead with your assumptions. Ask neutral questions. Don't explain features before observing. Let them struggle—that's data. Listen more than you talk. Their behavior matters more than their opinions.

Question 6

What is usability testing?

Accepted Answer

Watching users attempt tasks with your product or prototype. You observe where they succeed and struggle. "Find the pricing page" or "Complete a purchase." Reveals UX issues you can't see yourself.

Question 7

Moderated or unmoderated testing?

Accepted Answer

Moderated: you observe live, can ask follow-up questions, better insights. Unmoderated: users test independently, faster and cheaper, less depth. Use moderated for complex questions, unmoderated for quick validation.

Question 8

How do I share research findings with my team?

Accepted Answer

Create concise summaries with key insights, supporting quotes, and video clips. Present findings in team meetings. Link insights to specific recommendations. Research only matters if it influences decisions.

Question 9

What is a user persona?

Accepted Answer

A fictional representation of your target user based on research: demographics, goals, frustrations, behaviors. Personas align the team on who you're building for. Base them on real data, not assumptions.

Question 10

How often should I do user research?

Accepted Answer

Continuously, not just at project start. Weekly customer conversations if possible. Formal research cycles before major features. Build research into your regular process, not as a one-time event.

Question 11

What is a card sort?

Accepted Answer

Users organize content into groups that make sense to them. Reveals how users think about information architecture. Useful for navigation and category design. Tools like Optimal Workshop facilitate this.

Question 12

How do I test if users understand my value proposition?

Accepted Answer

Show your landing page for 5 seconds, then ask what the product does. If they can't explain it, your messaging needs work. Called a "5-second test." Lyssna and Maze support this.

Question 13

What is a diary study?

Accepted Answer

Users log their experiences over time (days or weeks). Captures behavior in natural context, not artificial test settings. Useful for understanding habits and long-term usage patterns.

Question 14

How do I balance research with shipping?

Accepted Answer

Research doesn't have to be slow. Quick tests with 5 users take a day. Some validation is better than none. The goal is informed decisions, not perfect knowledge. Ship and learn.

Question 15

What tools do I need for user research?

Accepted Answer

Start simple: video calls (Zoom), screen recording, and notes. Add Maze or Lyssna for unmoderated testing. Hotjar for on-site feedback. UserTesting for professional participants. Tools help but aren't required.

Question 16

How do I prioritize research questions?

Accepted Answer

Focus on highest-risk assumptions. What could cause the product to fail? What do you know least about? What decisions are coming up that research could inform? Prioritize by impact and uncertainty.

Question 17

What is the jobs-to-be-done framework?

Accepted Answer

Understanding what "job" users hire your product to do, not just what features they want. "I hire this product to help me feel organized" is a job. Focuses on underlying needs, not surface requests.

Question 18

How do I research if I have no users yet?

Accepted Answer

Interview potential users about their current behavior and problems. Test prototypes with target audience. Use competitor reviews to understand pain points. Research the problem space, not just your solution.

I need to understand my users through research

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