user-research-methods

# User Research Methods

Methods for understanding user needs, validating designs, and gathering actionable insights.

## Research Methods Overview

### Method Selection Matrix

| Method | When to Use | Sample Size | Time | Output |
|--------|-------------|-------------|------|--------|
| User Interviews | Early discovery, deep understanding | 5-8 | 2-3 weeks | Qualitative insights |
| Usability Testing | Validate designs, find issues | 5-10 | 1-2 weeks | Actionable fixes |
| Surveys | Quantify attitudes, preferences | 100+ | 1-2 weeks | Statistical data |
| Card Sorting | Information architecture | 15-30 | 1 week | IA recommendations |
| Diary Studies | Longitudinal behavior | 10-15 | 2-4 weeks | Behavior patterns |
| A/B Testing | Compare alternatives | 1000+ | 2-4 weeks | Statistical winner |

### Qualitative vs. Quantitative

```
Qualitative                              Quantitative
(Why & How)                              (What & How Many)
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────►
Interviews  Focus    Usability  Surveys  Analytics  A/B
            Groups   Testing                        Tests

Small sample                              Large sample
Rich insights                             Statistical confidence
Exploratory                               Validating
```

## User Interviews

### Interview Planning

```markdown
## Interview Plan: [Project Name]

### Research Questions
1. What problem are we trying to understand?
2. What decisions will this research inform?
3. What do we already know/assume?

### Participant Criteria
- Must have: [Required characteristics]
- Nice to have: [Preferred characteristics]
- Exclude: [Disqualifying factors]

### Recruitment
- Target: 6-8 participants
- Incentive: $[X] gift card
- Channels: [How to recruit]

### Interview Guide
- Duration: 45-60 minutes
- Format: Video call / In-person

### Logistics
- Researcher: [Name]
- Note-taker: [Name]
- Recording: [Consent process]
```

### Interview Structure

```markd