[New Report] The "Next Normal" For User Research

This week from People Nerds: A follow up to our original user research maturity model and a look at how the field will change post-COVID

How will research adapt to a "post-COVID" world? When we published Moves to Modern Research in 2019, we imagined it'd be a model for how research would grow and change in the next decade.   Then 2020 happened.    And "the next decade" started to look a lot different.   So we spoke with prominent experience leaders across industries to rethink our report and re-envision the future of our field. Expanding on our original model, we identified three primary currents of change that are pushing and pulling on our initial "moves" to research maturity:    Rapid changes to business models and markets across industries A greater buy-in for human-centered approaches A new distance between our users, our teams, and our collaborators   Learn more in the full report: "Moving to the Next Normal"   READ NOW dscout is a company composed of People Nerds working to make context-rich human insight an everyday habit across organizations. The dscout platform—Diary, Live, Recruit, and Express—enables remote qualitative research that brings researchers into the moments experienced and shared by real people. Curious about the platform or working with dscout? Talk to an account executive.  dscout, 222 North LaSalle St. Suite 650, Chicago, Illinois 60601, (312) 880-9715 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Goodbye research ruts, you won't be missed

This week from People Nerds: We get advice on UX creative blocks, break down concept testing, and advocate for your first UX hire.

Climbing out of a research rut Research ruts: They feel like a lifetime, but often happen on the brink of a "eureka!" moment. We talked to an all-star group of researchers to learn (and steal) their tactics for sparking creativity, creating knowledge banks or "Halls of Fame" and leading effective brainstorming sessions.   STARING AT THE BLANK PAGE Streamline a million ideas: Try concept testing Some of the most exciting research involves tackling large, thorny questions. On the other hand, it's hard to design a study that'll provide such fundamental strategic direction. Solution? Concept testing. Explore common ways to tackle this type of research project.    TIME TO DISCOVER Results from last week's community poll (n = 79) If forced to pick one, which output resonates most with your stakeholders? 39% - Videos/highlight reels  |   35% - Stats/numbers    |   19% - Quotes    |   6% - Photos/collages   Set your first research hire up for success Before you embark on a tedious recruitment journey, take a look at these steps for creating an efficient UX hiring process. Crafting a transparent job description, establishing a set interview schedule, and setting clear expectations can ensure that both your candidate and team are on the same page.   YOU'RE HIRED More we're discussing: Experiment beyond usability testing for your next content test. We walk through three strategies to uncover and solve content issues. ABC = Always be creating. Become a more creative user researcher with three exercises for generating compelling insights. Support your research initiatives while keeping your bandwidth and budget on track. Call on your perfect sidekick, secondary research. What we're hearing: Brainstorming sessions have been some of the most challenging meetings to host virtually, but Kacy Boone knows how these can be more effective. It may be time to make a product ops hire. Here's how to convince your stakeholders to take action. Let's get scrappy. See how you can use your research, designs, or content to its maximum potential and how to stay sane while doing it. dscout is a company composed of People Nerds working to make context-rich human insight an everyday habit across organizations. The dscout platform—Diary, Live, Recruit, and Express—enables remote qualitative research that brings researchers into the moments experienced and shared by real people. Curious about the platform or working with dscout? Talk to an account executive.  dscout, 222 North LaSalle St. Suite 650, Chicago, Illinois 60601, (312) 880-9715 Unsubscribe Manage preferences

3 exercises for more creative research

This week from People Nerds: Must-know methods for content tests, approaches for more creativity at work, and how to utilize "desk" research

3 ways to clarify your content Usability testing might uncover content issues—but it won't tell you how to fix them. For clearer interface content, try a cloze test, recall-based test, or highlighter test. We breakdown which is best for your research goal.   CLOZE-ING TIME Let the ideas roll in Many of us are no stranger to the dreaded "research rut," but Sr. User Research and Usability Consultant, Beant Kaur Dhillon, offers ideas for sparking creativity. She walks us through three activities for nurturing creative thinking in your research.   THE MORE THE MERRIER This week's community poll Answer with a click this week, see the results in next week's newsletter.   If forced to pick one, which output resonates most with your stakeholders?   1. Stats/numbers       2. Quotes       3. Videos/highlight reels      4. Photos/collages Avoid reinventing the wheel Secondary, or "desk" research, can refine your question while keeping bandwidth and budget in check. Nikki Anderson explains how she utilizes secondary research and shares a variety of resources for filling your knowledge gaps.   SECOND(ARY) NATURE More we're discussing: Don't get overwhelmed by data. Use these tactics for combining qualitative research with product analytics.  Hiring a user researcher can, of course, add immense value to your organization, but timing is key. Explore why, when, and how to hire a user researcher. What we're hearing: Reimagine the colors across your products to be more widely accessible. Pryanka J unpacks five steps for getting started. The best engineers + the best designers = the best product, right? Dávid Pásztor says that's not always the case. dscout is a company composed of People Nerds working to make context-rich human insight an everyday habit across organizations. The dscout platform—Diary, Live, Recruit, and Express—enables remote qualitative research that brings researchers into the moments experienced and shared by real people. Curious about the platform or working with dscout? Talk to an account executive.  dscout, 222 North LaSalle St. Suite 650, Chicago, Illinois 60601, (312) 880-9715 Unsubscribe Manage preferences