For every UX problem, there is a UX research method.
Well, that might be stating it a little too simply.
For any one UX problem you will likely need several UX research methods to unpack it. If we were casting roles for the proverb about blind men and the elephant, UX problems are the elephant and UX research methods are the blind men. Most of my projects involve some combination of interviews, usability tests, think-a-louds, and contextual inquiries, with the occasional diary study.
When it comes to drafting a research plan, and figuring which out which methods you should pull out of your quiver, it can be helpful to have a few “cheat sheets” or summaries to refer to. Here are 4 tools to help you select the right UX research methods:
- UX Research Cheat Sheet – An easy-to-use cheat sheet for selecting a method for each phase of the project.
- Methods cards from 18f – Quick summaries of different research methods, organized by the phase of the project.
- The UX Toolbelt – A web application for selecting UX methods. It includes time and cost estimates for each method, so you can quickly whip up a budget plan for research.
- UX Project Checklist – A general checklist for every UX project, with links to other articles and resources.
A question: how do you pick your UX research methods?
What references, books, websites, cheat sheets, etc. do you use? Are they any other resources I should add to this list?