User Research and Testing
Master qualitative and quantitative research methods for understanding user needs and behaviors
About This Program
This comprehensive program develops capabilities in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies focused on understanding user needs, behaviors, and preferences. Participants learn systematic approaches to gathering insights that inform product design, feature prioritization, and user experience optimization.
The curriculum covers interview techniques including recruitment screening, discussion guide development, and methods for eliciting meaningful responses without introducing bias. Students explorebility testing protocols for both moderated and unmoderated sessions, learning to design tasks, facilitate observations, and document findings. The program addresses survey design principles including question formulation, response scale selection, and sampling considerations.
Participants work with card sorting for information architecture validation and tree testing for navigation structure assessment. The program includes A/B testing methodologies for comparing design alternatives through controlled experiments. Students learn diary studies and contextual inquiry approaches for understanding user behavior in natural environments. The curriculum addresses remote research tools and techniques that enable distributed participant engagement.
Advanced modules focus on synthesizing research findings into personas, journey maps, and insight repositories that communicate discoveries to stakeholders. Participants practice translating observations into actionable recommendations that balance user needs with business constraints. The program emphasizes developing research plans that align methodologies with specific questions and resource constraints. Graduates emerge prepared to conduct rigorous user research across various product development contexts.
Program Outcomes and Applications
Insight Synthesis
Graduates acquire techniques for transforming raw research observations into coherent insights and recommendations. This includes pattern recognition across qualitative data, persona development that captures user archetypes, and creating deliverables that communicate findings effectively to product teams.
Tools and Methodologies Covered
Interview Protocols
Learn structured approaches to conducting user interviews including discussion guide creation, probing techniques, and methods for encouraging detailed responses.
bility Testing Platforms
Work with tools for conducting moderated and unmoderatedbility tests, including session recording, task completion tracking, and observation documentation.
Survey Tools
Utilize professional survey platforms for questionnaire design, distribution management, response collection, and basic statistical analysis of quantitative data.
Card Sorting Methods
Apply card sorting techniques for information architecture validation, understanding how users categorize and organize content or features.
Remote Research Tools
Explore platforms that enable distributed research activities including screen sharing, session recording, and asynchronous feedback collection.
Analysis Frameworks
Learn systematic approaches to analyzing qualitative data including affinity mapping, thematic coding, and pattern identification across research sessions.
Professional Standards and Practices
Participant Ethics
The program emphasizes ethical treatment of research participants including informed consent procedures, confidentiality protection, and appropriate compensation practices. Students learn to design studies that respect participant time and dignity.
Understanding these principles ensures research activities meet professional standards while building trust with participants who contribute their insights and experiences.
Bias Mitigation
Students explore common sources of bias in user research including leading questions, confirmation bias, and selection effects. The curriculum addresses techniques for designing neutral studies and recognizing when personal assumptions may influence interpretation.
Developing awareness of bias sources improves research validity and ensures findings accurately reflect user perspectives rather than researcher expectations.
Accessibility Considerations
The program covers inclusive research practices that accommodate diverse participants including those with disabilities. Students learn to design studies with appropriate accommodations and consider how findings represent varied user populations.
Inclusive research practices ensure insights reflect the full spectrum of potential users rather than excluding important segments of the audience.
Who Should Enroll
UX Researchers
User experience researchers seeking to strengthen their methodological foundation and expand their research toolkit
Product Designers
Designers who want to incorporate rigorous user research into their design process and validate concepts through testing
Product Managers
Product leaders who need to understand user research methods to evaluate findings and guide evidence-based product decisions
Career Changers
Professionals transitioning into UX research roles who need structured training in research methodologies and practices
Learning Progress and Assessment
The program includes hands-on projects that build practical research skills through direct application of methodologies.
Interview Project
Students recruit participants, develop discussion guides, conduct user interviews, and synthesize findings into a brief report documenting key insights and patterns.
bility Test Facilitation
Participants design task scenarios, facilitate moderatedbility tests with provided scenarios, document observations, and identifybility issues with severity ratings.
Survey Design Exercise
Students create a survey instrument for a research question, considering question types, response formats, flow logic, and bias mitigation. Peer review provides feedback on design quality.
Research Study Capstone
Final project involves designing a complete research study including methodology selection, research plan development, data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings with actionable recommendations.
Begin Your User Research Journey
Reach out to our team to learn more about program structure, scheduling, and how this course can support your professional development in user research.