Preparing Research Materials
Preparing research materials involves creating and organising the documents, guides, and tools necessary for conducting user research. This activity ensures that the research sessions are structured, efficient, and capable of gathering the intended insights.
Goal
The goal of preparing research materials is to equip the research team and participants with clear, effective tools and guides that facilitate the collection of valuable, actionable user insights.
Context
The quality of the outcomes of user research is heavily influenced by the quality of the research materials. By preparing well-structured, focused materials, teams can ensure that their research efforts are efficient, effective, and capable of yielding meaningful insights.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Research Plan | A detailed document outlining the research objectives, methodologies, timeline, and resources. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Interview Guide | A structured plan for the interview, including the flow of questions and topics to cover. |
| Survey Questions | Designed sets of questions intended for quantitative data collection from a broader audience. |
| Ethnographic Study Guide | A guide for researchers to follow during the field study, including the flow of activities and topics to cover. |
| Diary Study Guide | A guide for participants to follow during the diary study, including the flow of activities and topics to cover. |
| Card Sorting Deck | A set of topics or items that participants will sort into categories. |
| Card Sorting Categories | A set of labels or groups that participants will use to organise the cards if you are performing a closed or hybrid sorting session. |
Anti-patterns
- Overly Complex Materials: Creating research materials that are too detailed or complex, potentially confusing participants or researchers.
- Lack of Alignment with Objectives: Preparing materials that do not align closely with the research objectives, leading to irrelevant data collection.
- One-size-fits-all Approach: Using the same materials for every research session, regardless of the unique needs of each study or participant group.
- Ignoring Participant Feedback: Failing to update or revise materials based on feedback from participants or findings from previous research sessions.