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Friends,
This week, we’re diving into a part of product development that often gets left in the shadows—user research methods that don’t make headlines, but do make a difference.
While interviews and surveys tend to dominate the spotlight, I want to introduce you to the quiet powerhouses of UX—methods like ethnographic studies, context inquiries, diary studies, and usability testing. These might not sound flashy, but trust me, they can uncover insights no spreadsheet or post-launch feedback ever will.
What I love most about these methods is how they bring us closer to the real lives, real struggles, and real behaviors of users. It’s less about what people say they do—and more about what they actually do.
Here’s what you’ll get from this piece:
Why “common” doesn’t always mean “best” in user research
The overlooked methods that reveal deep, actionable insights
How to choose the right approach based on your product goals
Let’s explore the hidden gems of UX research 👇
Alexander Benz is an award-winning designer from Norway, based out of Los Angeles, with a passion for building eCommerce brands that drive growth. Since founding Blikket in 2024, he’s helped DTC small businesses across the U.S. unlock new revenue potential. His journey began at age 11, when early projects caught the attention of big names like Electronic Arts and Universal Music. With deep entrepreneurial experience, Alexander has raised significant funding and helped clients generate over $150 million in revenue. At Blikket, he balances business impact with purpose, having earned the agency pending B Corp status to emphasize social and environmental responsibility.
Beyond agency leadership, Alexander is a best-selling author on UX and CRO, with work featured in outlets like the BBC and Fast Company. Connect with him on (LinkedIn), (Instagram) & (Website).
User research is a critical part of product development. Without it, companies risk making products that no one wants or understands.
There are many different user research methods available, but some are often overlooked in favor of more popular techniques like interviews and surveys. However, there are a number of other methods that can be just as effective, if not more so.
One such method is ethnographic research, which involves observing users in their natural habitat to see how they interact with your product. This can be an invaluable way to get insights that you wouldn’t be able to get through other methods.
Another useful method is context inquiry, which involves interviewing users about their specific needs and goals within the context of using your product. This helps you to understand the real-world problems that people are trying to solve with your product, rather than what they think they should be doing with it.
Finally, usability testing is an essential user research method that should not be overlooked. This involves having users attempt common tasks using your product to see how easy or difficult it is for them to complete these tasks successfully. Usability testing can help you identify areas where your product needs improvement before it goes to market.
There are a lot of user research methods out there, but some are more commonly used than others.
User research methods are used to help develop products and services that meet the needs of the people who will use them. There are a variety of user research methods, but some are more commonly used than others.
One common user research method is surveys. Surveys can be used to collect data about people’s demographics, needs, wants, and opinions. They can be administered in person, by mail, or online.
Another common user research method is interviews. Interviews can be conducted one-on-one or in groups. They allow researchers to ask detailed questions and probe for deeper understanding.
Observation is another user research method that can provide valuable insights into how people use products and services. Researchers may observe people using a product or service in their natural environment or in a controlled setting such as a laboratory.
Focus group discussions also provide an opportunity to gather rich data from users through open-ended discussions led by a moderator. Focus group discussions usually involve 6–10 participants and last 1–2 hours .
Analysis of existing data, such as customer support logs, social media comments, and web analytics data can also yield insights about users’ needs and wants. However, this data is usually harder to interpret than data collected through active user research methods .
Some user research methods are more commonly used because they’re easy to do or because they’ve been around for a long time.
There are many different user research methods that can be used in order to gain insights about your target audience. However, some methods are more commonly used than others. This is often because they’re easy to do or because they’ve been around for a long time.
One of the most popular user research methods is surveys. Surveys allows you to collect a lot of data quickly and easily from a large number of people. Another common method is interviews, which can be used to gather qualitative data about people’s opinions and experiences.
Other less common methods include focus groups, usability testing, and diary studies. These methods can be more time-consuming and expensive than surveys or interviews, but they can provide deeper insights into how users think and behave.
CRO & UX are a big field, it can be difficult to know where to start 🤔
Most of the guides out there are either too long, too short, or generalize things so much that they do not help you at all.
My free workbook will help you create your own plan for CRO success by showing you how other companies have done it successfully and what went wrong with their strategy to learn from their mistakes. The book is free, as I believe knowledge should be shared! The book has already helped several companies.
However, easy or common doesn’t always mean best. In fact, some of the most overlooked user research methods can produce the best results.
User research is a field of study that assesses the behavior and needs of users in order to design products that are user-friendly. There are many different user research methods, but not all of them are created equal. Some methods are more common than others, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best. In fact, some of the most overlooked user research methods can produce the best results.
One example of an underrated user research method is ethnographic research. Ethnographic research involves observing users in their natural environment to learn about their behaviors and needs. This type of research can be time-consuming and expensive, but it provides valuable insights that other methods may miss.
Another underrated user research method is diary studies. Diary studies involve having users keep a log of their thoughts and activities over a period of time, typically several days or weeks. This type of study requires less investment than ethnographic research, but it can still provide rich data about how users interact with products over extended periods of time.
Finally, focus groups are often overlooked as a useful user research method, but they can be extremely helpful in generating qualitative data about users’ opinions and experiences. Focus groups typically involve small groups of 6–10 people whoare asked to discuss a topic related to the product under development. Focus groups can be used to generate ideas and gather feedback about potential designs, making them an important tool in the user research arsenal.
Here are four user research methods that are often overlooked but can make a big difference in your product:
When it comes to user research, there are a few methods that are often overlooked but can make a big difference in your product. One method is called “guerrilla usability testing”, which involves conducting short, informal tests with users in public places like coffee shops or parks. Another method is called “diary studies”, which involves having users keep a journal of their experiences using your product over a period of time.
Both of these methods can give you valuable insights into how real people use your product, and they’re relatively quick and easy to do. So if you’re not already incorporating them into your user research repertoire, definitely consider doing so!
1. Ethnographic research
There are many different user research methods available to UX designers, but one of the most popular and effective methods is ethnographic research. Ethnographic research involves studying users in their natural environment in order to understand their behaviors, habits, and beliefs. This type of research can be conducted through observation, interviews, and surveys.
Ethnographic research is an important tool for understanding how users interact with technology. By observing users in their natural environment, UX designers can get a better understanding of how people use technology in their everyday lives. This type of research can help designers make informed decisions about product design and development.
2. Longitudinal studies
Longitudinal studies are a type of research method that involve observing the same group of participants over an extended period of time. This allows researchers to track changes in behaviour or attitudes over time, and to identify any patterns that may emerge. While longitudinal studies can be very expensive and time-consuming, they offer a unique insights into how people change over time.
3. Qualitative interviews
User research methods are the techniques used to gather data about users in order to design better products. One common user research method is qualitative interviews, which involve interviewing users about their experiences and opinions.
Qualitative interviews are a powerful tool for gathering rich, detailed data about users’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. When done well, they can provide insights that would be difficult or impossible to obtain through other methods. However, qualitative interviews can be challenging to conduct effectively, and they require careful planning and analysis.
When conducting qualitative interviews, it is important to choose the right participants, ask the right questions, and create an environment that encourages open and honest communication. It is also important to carefully document and analyze the data afterwards in order to identify patterns and insights.
If you are considering using qualitative interviews as part of your user research efforts, there are a few things you should keep in mind: First,qualitative interviews are best used as complement to other research methods; Second,…
4. Secondary data analysis
Secondary data analysis is the process of analyzing data that has already been collected and organized by someone else. This type of research is often used to gain insights into trends, relationships, and Cause and effect relationships.
There are many different methods for conducting secondary data analysis, but some common techniques include statistical analysis, text mining, and machine learning. Statistical analysis can be used to identify patterns in the data, while text mining can be used to find trends or relationships between variables. Machine learning algorithms can also be used to find hidden patterns in the data.
Secondary data analysis can be a very powerful tool for researchers, but it is important to remember that the data has already been collected and organized by someone else. This means that there may be errors or bias in the dataset that you are not aware of. It is always best to consult with a statistician or other experts before conducting any secondary data analysis.
Each of these methods has its own strengths and weaknesses, but they all have the potential to produce insights that can make your product more user-friendly and successful.
User research is an essential part of designing and developing any kind of product or service. There are a number of different methods that can be used to collect user data and feedback, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
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