User Research

Stephanie Marsh (she/they) is a leading UX research professional and currently UX Research Operations Lead at Springer Nature. They are the former Head of User Research and Analysis for the UK Government Digital Service and former Head of Digital Strategy for the UK Ministry of Defence. She was also previously a consultant at Bunnyfoot, a leading UX consultancy in the UK. They have contributed chapters to a range of peer-reviewed texts in related fields and has delivered talks on UX Research, Research Operations and UX strategies at a range of conferences and industry events. She is based in London.

Chapter - 01: Introduction - Why is user research so important?;


Section - ONE: The fundamentals - What good research looks like;


Chapter - 02: Planning, objectives and legalities in user research;
Chapter - 03: Best practice in user research - Who, what, why and how;
Chapter - 04: Managing user research logistics - Agencies, facilities and contracts;


Section - TWO: Selecting and using user research methods;


Chapter - 05: Usability testing - Observing people doing things;
Chapter - 06: Content testing - What do people think your content means?;
Chapter - 07: Card sorting - Understanding how people group and relate things;
Chapter - 08: Surveys - How to gauge a widespread user response;
Chapter - 09: User interviews - Understanding people's experience through talking to them;
Chapter - 10: Diary studies - How to capture user research data over time;
Chapter - 11: Information architecture validation - Does the structure of your information work for your users?;
Chapter - 12: Ethnography - Observing how people behave in the real world;
Chapter - 13: Contextual inquiry - Interviewing people in their own environment;
Chapter - 14: A/B Testing - A technique to compare different options;
Chapter - 15: Getting the best out of stakeholder workshops;
Chapter - 16: Guerrilla research - Running fast-paced research in the real world;
Chapter - 17: How to combine user research methodologies;


Section - THREE: Analyzing and presenting your data;


Chapter - 18: Content analysis - A method of coding and making sense of your qualitative data;
Chapter - 19: Affinity diagramming - Understand your data through identifying its themes;
Chapter - 20: Prioritizing issues and user needs - What’s important and what to work on next;
Chapter - 21: Making recommendations - How to make your research findings actionable;
Chapter - 22: Creating executive summaries and detailed reports to present results;
Chapter - 23: Using video playback to present your research results;
Chapter - 24: Using personas to communicate user characteristics and behaviours;
Chapter - 25: Using mental models to visualize how users think and identify opportunities;
Chapter - 26: Using journey and experience maps to visualize user research data;
Chapter - 27: Using scenarios and storyboards to represent the user journey;
Chapter - 28: Using infographics to translate numerical and statistical data;
Chapter - 29: How to recommend changes to visual, interaction and information design;
Chapter - 30: Conclusion

"This book offers a comprehensive overview of how to be a great user researcher and explains exactly how to plan, run and debrief impactful user research. This new edition is right up to date with modern research needs for ethical data handling, and operationalising research. An essential handbook for new and experienced researchers to keep by their side!"

"For those embarking on a career in user research, research operations, or for those with experience in the fields, User Research is a must-have guide. Fantastically practical with all those questions you didn't even know you had already covered."

"A true guide as it covers the full lifecycle of user and qualitative research, from design and collection through to dissemination. Following the advice in each chapter will ensure you deliver robust research and insights. The addition of the research operations section and the prominence given to the legal and ethical considerations only further enhances the credibility and utility of this book."

"This is an essential handbook for anyone learning how to conduct user research. It's also an invaluable reference book for experienced researchers. I shall add it to my library! What stands out in this book is the excellent blending of the basic building blocks with best practice for conducting quality user research."

"We finally have a practical and pragmatic overview of user research methods together in one book. I expect to see well-thumbed and bookmarked copies of this book on the desks of everyone who believes in the value of designing for their users."

"The comprehensive guide that follows delivers this promise, empowering its reader with clear explanations and practical instructions based on Stephanie's extensive experience. If you've ever felt intimidated by the complexity and breadth of the subject of user research, this book is for you."