Gain a deeper understanding of user research methods, applications, and rationale.
Studying what people do in their natural settings is a great way to discover opportunities for innovation. Research methods provide ways of studying human behavior that reveal how and why people engage with the world in ways that are meaningful to them. Findings and insights from research provide opportunities for designing products, services and experiences that resonate with people.
This ½ day workshop furthers understanding of the user research toolbox, describes applications of methods and their rationales for use, and discusses practical considerations for doing research in UX contexts. This workshop is designed for UX and design professionals who want to improve their research capabilities.
A combination of short lectures and hands-on activities will provide participants with best practices, practical understanding, and usable tools to bring back to their organizations. No previous knowledge or experience in user research is needed.
This workshop includes techniques we’ve used with companies in e-commerce, software application services, industrial design, finance, manufacturing, higher education, and entertainment.
A combination of short lectures and hands-on activities will provide participants with best practices, practical understanding and usable tools to bring back to their organizations.
To start the workshop, there will be a brief overview of the session, followed by participant introductions and exercises to elicit research challenges and look for commonalities.
We’ll provide an overview of user research methods and compare generative and evaluative methods and their applicability to problems.
We’ll present some best practices for designing a research plan, including defining the research; creating the right questions and data collection instruments; recruiting, screening and ethics of participation, data collection and management; and planning for analysis, synthesis and deliverables.
Individually (or in smaller groups of like-minded individuals), you will go back to your research challenge and plan a project using the methodological approaches, considerations and tools discussed. Then we’ll present the project plans to each other and give feedback, help overcome objections, and refine rationales.
We’ll do a brief reflection exercise and address remaining questions.
Amy Goldmacher, Ph.D. is an anthropologist and ethnographic practitioner in industry, and an instructor of anthropology and methods. With more than 15 years of applied experience, Amy has provided research for new product and service design across industries, including academia, automotive, consumer products, websites, healthcare, industrial products, mobile applications and residential and nonresidential construction. Amy has authored and co-authored articles in Anthropology journals, a chapter in an organizational business text, and a career workbook, among other publications. Amy holds a B.A. in Anthropology with Honors from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
Workshops can be tailored in many ways—including group size, time constraints, budget, desired outcomes, team skill level, learning styles, and product stage. If you don’t see what you are looking for, please let us know. We’d love to come up with something that best meets your needs.