Research Principles
Research principles refer to the foundational beliefs and guidelines that drive the planning, execution, and analysis of research within the context of software product development. These principles help in making informed decisions based on user needs, technological capabilities, and market trends.
Purpose
The purpose of defining research principles is to establish a common framework for conducting research activities within the product development process. Benefits include:
- Alignment: Ensure that research efforts are consistent and coordinated across the team.
- Quality: Promote high-quality research practices that generate reliable and actionable insights which inform product decisions.
- User-Centricity: Keep the user at the center of product development by prioritising their needs and preferences.
- Minimise Bias: Reduce the impact of personal biases and assumptions on decision-making by grounding them in empirical data.
Format
Research principles are typically documented in a formal policy or guideline document that is accessible to all members of the product development team. This document outlines the principles in detail and may include examples, templates, or methodologies to support their implementation.
Examples
Gov.uk
- Principle 1: We include all of our users, and bring them to the heart of the department’s work
- Principle 2: We are objective and use evidence
- Principle 3: We do high quality, safe and ethical research
- Principle 4: We are adaptable and collaborative, and focus our research in the right places
- Principle 5: We learn as a community and by ourselves
- Principle 6: We celebrate our work, and help others understand what we do
Arnold Clark
- Start with what we know: Do the best research you can in any given situation. Focus on the right problems, as you can’t research everything
- Research is a team sport: Never do research alone. Involving others at all stages promotes empathy, reduces bias, and brings the user into the room
- A little bit of research, all the time: Research often and use a mixture of methods to help inform you. Start with the research question, not the method
- Context is everything: Focus on what users do, not just what they say. It helps us understand their motivations and needs
- Always share research findings: Be a champion for research as a craft. Work in the open, it makes things better for everyone
- Inclusive and Ethical: Always respect the privacy and integrity of our users and protect their personal data. Make sure our users know who we are, what we’re doing and how we’ll use their information
Anti-patterns
- Lack of Clarity: Vague or overly broad principles that don’t guide behaviour or decision-making effectively.
- Misalignment: Principles that are not aligned with the actual practices or behaviours within the organisation.