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Design

Conduct Design and User Research

Get out into the world and understand how people actually behave vs. what they say they do. Move past expectations and assumptions to uncover valuable insights through ethnography, interviews and participant observation.
DifficultyEasy6 hours
Interested in this free-access course?

Research is a fundamental element of any design project. Through research, we remove assumptions and judgments, enabling us to discover insights from the user's perspective.

We'll examine different research approaches in this course, depending on the kind of information you're looking to uncover. First, we'll explore biases and research limitations, along with best practices for interviewing and talking to people in the field. Then we'll look at how to analyze your data and findings to help inform your next steps.

Investing in research upfront will save you time, money, and energy in the long run. Even minimal inquiry can have a significant impact. However, it's essential that you design for the right audience. Not only can research give you valuable insights, but you may also uncover directions you would never have considered otherwise.

Learning outcomes

  • Set Up Your Research Project
  • Gather Participant and User Data
  • Use Research Data to Improve A Project

Requirements

Prerequisites:

None! (although Dive into UX Design may be helpful for providing context).

Note: this course's emphasis is on qualitative research.

Usability testing is addressed in the course Test Products on Users (Usability Testing) 

Quantitative research is covered in the course Apply Metrics to Design Decisions

Turn it into a career

Take one of our 100% online diploma training programs, and transform your know-how into professional skills.

  • Up to 100% of your training program funded
  • Flexible start date
  • Career-focused projects
  • Individual mentoring

Contributors

Instructors

Anne Ditmeyer

Designer and creative consultant who writes and travels. Find me online at anneditmeyer.com + @pretavoyager!

Mike Miello

I make websites to help businesses look pro, be found, and grow online - Learn more at my website: Webodew.com

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Last updated: 1/23/2025

License

Design

Conduct Design and User Research

DifficultyEasy6 hours
Free-access course