Longitudinal studies offer a powerful way to observe how subjects change over time. Unlike one-time surveys or experiments, these studies track the same individuals or groups across months, years, or even decades. This approach reveals patterns and trends that short-term research cannot capture. If you want to understand development, cause-effect relationships, or long-term outcomes, longitudinal studies provide unique insights. Longitudinal Studies What Is a Longitudinal Stu

Creating usability questions is a critical step in understanding how users interact with a product or service. Well-crafted questions reveal insights that help improve design, functionality, and overall user experience. Poorly designed questions, on the other hand, can lead to misleading data and missed opportunities for improvement. This post explores practical strategies to develop clear, focused usability questions that generate valuable feedback. Effective Strategies for

Asking the right questions is the foundation of any successful research or survey. Yet, many struggle with crafting questions that do not lead respondents toward a particular answer. Unbiased questions help gather accurate, reliable data that truly reflects the opinions, experiences, or facts you want to understand. This post explains how to write unbiased questions, why it matters, and practical tips to improve your surveys and research projects. Crafting unbiased questions

When I first started designing research projects, I often relied on intuition or traditional methods without much reflection on what data could tell me about my approach. Over time, I realized that analytics could be a powerful tool to guide my decisions about which research methods to use next. Using analytics not only saves time and resources but also improves the quality and relevance of research outcomes. In this post, I’ll share how I use analytics to shape my research m

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Card sorting is a powerful method for organizing information, improving user experience, and designing intuitive navigation systems. When I first started using card sorting in my projects, I found it challenging to create prompts that would guide participants effectively. That’s when I turned to AI for help. Using AI-generated prompts transformed how I approached card sorting, making the process smoother and more insightful. In this post

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in UX research, I relied heavily on basic methods like surveys and usability testing. These tools gave me useful insights, but I quickly realized they only scratched the surface of understanding users’ true needs and behaviors. Over time, I explored more advanced UX research methodologies that helped me uncover deeper insights and design better experiences. In this post, I want to share some of those methods,

When I first started working on improving website performance, I focused mainly on design tweaks and A/B testing. But I quickly realized that without understanding how users actually interact with a site, those changes often missed the mark. That’s when I turned to UX research as a foundation for conversion rate optimization (CRO). The results transformed how I approached improving user experiences and boosting conversions. In this post, I want to share how UX research can d

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started as a UX researcher, I thought my job was to find answers. I believed that by asking direct questions, I could quickly uncover what users wanted or needed. But I soon realized that the real skill lies in leading with questions —not to get immediate answers, but to guide users into sharing deeper insights. This approach transforms interviews and usability tests from simple Q&A sessions into rich conversations that reve

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working on UX projects, I often faced tight deadlines that pushed me to choose fast research methods. These quick approaches promised rapid insights, but I quickly learned they came with tradeoffs that affected the quality and depth of the findings. Over time, I found ways to balance speed and reliability, helping me make better design decisions without sacrificing user understanding. In this post, I want to share wh

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in UX research, the methods we relied on felt straightforward: interviews, surveys, usability tests. But as technology and user expectations evolve, so do the ways we understand and improve user experiences. Over the next five years, some research methods will become more important, while others will need to adapt or fade away. I want to share what I see as the most valuable UX research methods that will shap

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first encountered Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA), I was struck by how much it reveals about the hidden mental steps experts take during complex tasks. Unlike traditional task analysis, which focuses on observable actions, CTA digs into the thought processes behind decisions. This approach has transformed how I understand expert performance, especially in fields where decisions must be quick, accurate, and based on deep knowledge. C

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader I’ve spent years working in UX research, and one thing I’ve learned is that not all research methods are created equal. Sometimes, the very tools we rely on to understand users can give us a misleading sense of certainty. This false confidence can lead teams down the wrong path, wasting time and resources on solutions that don’t actually meet user needs. In this post, I want to share my experience with how certain UX research methods can

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader User experience (UX) research shapes how products and services meet real user needs. But with so many types of UX research, it can be confusing to know which method fits your project. I’ve worked on several design projects where choosing the right research approach made all the difference. In this post, I’ll walk you through the main types of UX research, explain when to use each, and share best practices to get the most from your effort

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in UX research, I quickly realized that relying on a single method often left gaps in understanding user behavior. One method might reveal what users do, but not why. Another might uncover motivations but miss patterns in actual use. Over time, I learned that layering different UX research methods creates a fuller, more reliable picture. This approach strengthens the evidence we gather and leads to better des

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When deadlines shrink and projects speed up, UX research often feels like the first thing to get squeezed out. Yet, skipping or rushing research can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities. I’ve faced this challenge many times, and I want to share practical ways to adapt UX research methods when time is limited, without sacrificing the quality of insights. Quick user journey mapping during tight project timelines UX Research Met

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working in UX design, I quickly realized that understanding users wasn’t just about guessing what they wanted. It required solid research methods that reveal real behaviors and needs. Over time, I learned which UX research methods deliver the most useful insights and how to apply best practices to get the most from them. If you want your designs to truly connect with users, knowing these methods and how to use them e

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader When I first started working on UX projects, I believed that using every research method available would give me the clearest picture of user needs. I thought more data meant better decisions. But soon, I realized that juggling too many methods at once often blurred the insights instead of sharpening them. The challenge is not just collecting data but making sure each method adds value without overwhelming the process or diluting the fin

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Understanding how users organize information is key to designing intuitive websites, apps, and products. Card sorting is a simple yet powerful method to uncover how people group content, helping designers create clear navigation and structure. This post explores different types of card sorting, practical tips, and best practices to get the most from this user research technique. Person organizing cards during a card sorting exercise What

When it comes to creating products that truly resonate with users, understanding their needs and behaviors is non-negotiable. That’s where UX research services come into play. They help us dig deep into user motivations, frustrations, and preferences, so we can design experiences that feel intuitive and delightful. But what exactly do these services entail? And how can we leverage them to make smarter design decisions? Let’s dive in and explore everything you need to know abo

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Understanding how users organize information is crucial for creating intuitive designs and effective navigation systems. One method that has gained attention for its flexibility and depth is the hybrid card sort . This approach combines elements of both open and closed card sorting, offering a balanced way to gather user insights. This post explores what hybrid card sorting is, how it works, and why it can be a valuable tool for designer