UX Research Techniques and Information Architecture

UX Research

Study of user behavior and needs in design.

ISO 9241-11

Standard providing guidance on usability evaluation.

Usability

Extent to which users achieve goals effectively.

Effectiveness

Accuracy and completeness of user task achievement.

Efficiency

Resources expended relative to task accuracy.

Satisfaction

User comfort and acceptability during use.

Context of Use

Conditions affecting product usability and interaction.

Users

Target audience characteristics influencing design.

Tasks

Goals users aim to achieve with a product.

Equipment

Tools or interfaces used in product interaction.

Physical Environment

Location where the product is utilized.

Social Environment

Social context influencing product usage.

Strategize (Phases of Product Development - Time Decision)

Methods at this stage are often GENERATIVE in nature, because they help generate ideas and answers about which way to go.

Execute (Phases of Product Development - Time Dimension)

Methods in this stage are well-described as FORMATIVE, because they inform how you can improve the design.

Assess (Phases of Product Development - Time Dimension)

After a product has been developed enough to measure it, it can be assessed against earlier versions of itself or competitors, and methods to do this are called SUMMATIVE.

Generative Research

Methods to explore ideas and directions early.

Formative Research

Methods to improve design during development.

Summative Research

Methods to evaluate product performance post-development.

Field Study

Research conducted in real-world user environments.

Benchmarking

Comparing product performance against competitors.

Surveys

Questionnaires to gather user feedback and insights.

A/B Testing

Comparing two versions to determine user preference.

Contextual Interviews

Interviews conducted in the user's environment.

Diary Studies

Users record experiences over time for insights.

Prototyping

Creating early models to test design concepts.

Usability Testing

Evaluating product with real users for issues.

Focus Groups

Group discussions to gather qualitative user insights.

Moderation

Facilitating discussions to ensure balanced participation.

Persona Building

Creating user archetypes to guide design decisions.

Journey Mapping

Visual representation of user interactions over time.

Iterative Design

Continuous improvement based on user feedback.

Post-launch Evaluation

Assessing product performance after release.

Prototyping Phase

Testing early designs and concepts for usability.

Affinity Mapping

Organizing data into groups to identify patterns.

Affinity Diagram

Visual tool for grouping related ideas or quotes.

Synthesis

Creating concepts based on analyzed data.

Findings

Statements indicating what is happening in research.

Insights

Understanding user behavior and motivations.

Journey Maps

Visual representation of user interactions and experiences.

Touchpoints

Interaction points between users and products.

User Actions

Tasks performed by users at each journey stage.

Pain Points

Challenges users face during their experience.

Opportunities

Moments to enhance user experience.

Stages or Phases

Steps users take from start to finish.

Emotions

Users' feelings at different interaction stages.

Holistic User Experience

Comprehensive view of user interactions online and offline.

User-Centered Solutions

Designs focused on user needs and expectations.

Aligning Teams

Ensuring all stakeholders share the same user goals.

Moments of Delight

Positive experiences enhancing user satisfaction.

Cross-Channel Interactions

User experiences spanning multiple platforms.

Key Metrics

Data points used to evaluate user journeys.

Personas

Representations of different user types and needs.

Ethos

Trust and credibility established through user interactions.

Pathos

Emotional connection created during user experiences.

Logos

Logical clarity in presenting information to users.

Kairos

Timeliness of interactions enhancing user engagement.

Storytelling

Combining narrative and visualization in user journeys.

Secure Checkout Process

Trust symbols that reassure users during transactions.

Negative Appeal

Heavy tone used to elicit donations.

Positive Reinforcement

Encourages users after errors with support.

User Engagement

Emotional connections enhance brand loyalty.

Onboarding Experience

Personalized messages foster user connections.

Celebrating Achievements

Rewards for goals boost user motivation.

E-commerce Experience

Joyful checkout versus frustration with policies.

Banking App Experience

Anxiety from waiting versus delight from confirmations.

Fitness App Experience

Motivation from achievements versus discouragement.

Product Comparisons

Data helps users make informed decisions.

Simplified User Flows

Streamlined checkout minimizes user effort.

FAQs and Help Sections

Logical answers build user trust.

Information Architecture (IA)

Organization of information for user navigation.

User Tasks

Activities like search, explore, and compare.

Company Goals

Objectives like revenue increase or cost reduction.

User Goals

What users aim to achieve on the site.

Competitor Analysis

Evaluating others' navigation strengths and weaknesses.

Emotional Engagement

Creates memorable experiences and brand loyalty.

Timely Notifications

Reminders sent at optimal moments for users.

Urgency Creation

Timely interactions keep users engaged.

User-Centered Design

Focus on user needs and emotional responses.

Digital Librarian

Organizing content for user comprehension.

Content Orientation

Focus on information type, like news or company.

Functionality Orientation

Design based on product usability, like mobile.

LATCH Principle

A framework for organizing information effectively, proposed by Richard Saul Wurman.

Location

Organizing information based on geographical location or spatial proximity.

Alphabetical

Arranging information alphabetically to make it easy to find by name or category.

Time

Organizing content in chronological order, useful when time or sequence is important.

Category

Grouping information based on similar types or categories.

Hierarchy

Organizing information by importance, size, or value.

Impact of Location

Location-based organization helps users connect with information that is relevant to a place or environment.

Impact of Alphabetical

This method works best when users are looking for specific, known terms and need a straightforward search.

Impact of Time

Chronological organization helps users understand how events or tasks unfold over time.

Impact of Category

This method enables users to browse through related content, enhancing discovery and exploration.

Impact of Hierarchy

Hierarchical organization helps users prioritize information, focusing on the most important items first.

Application of LATCH in UX Design

Utilizing the LATCH principles to create intuitive navigation and content organization in digital platforms.

Card Sorting

A UX research technique used to organize and structure information logically based on user categorization.

Open Card Sorting

Participants group cards in any way that makes sense to them and name the groups they create.

Closed Card Sorting

Participants assign cards to pre-defined categories, providing insight into user mental models.

Hybrid Card Sorting

A combination of open and closed methods, allowing predefined categories while enabling users to create their own.

Implementation Methods of Card Sorting

Includes in-person physical sorting and online drag-and-drop applications.

Detailed Steps in Card Sorting

Steps include creating a list of topics, shuffling cards, sorting them into piles, and naming each group.

Analysis of Data Considerations

Involves identifying common groups and patterns established by users during card sorting.