User Research Methods

Overview

User research uncovers what people need, want, and do — through direct observation and conversation, not assumptions. This skill covers four core methods: depth interviews, focus groups, surveys, and field observation, plus when to use each.

Framework

IRON LAW: Method Follows Question

Choose the method based on what you need to learn, not what's convenient.
"Why" questions → Interviews/Observation (qualitative)
"How many" questions → Surveys (quantitative)
"What do they really do" → Observation (behavioral)

Running a survey to answer "why" produces misleading data.