User experience (UX) research relies on understanding how people interact with products, websites, or apps. One method that helps researchers gain deep insights into users’ thoughts and feelings is the Retrospective Think Aloud Protocol (RTAP) . This technique captures users’ reflections after they complete a task, revealing their decision-making process and emotional responses. This post explains what RTAP is, how it works, and why it matters in UX research. Retrospective th

By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader Understanding how users interact with a product is essential for creating intuitive and effective designs. Moderated usability testing offers a direct way to observe users, gather feedback, and uncover issues that might otherwise remain hidden. This method involves a facilitator guiding participants through tasks while observing their behavior and reactions in real time. The insights gained can lead to meaningful improvements that enhanc

By Philip Burgess – UX Research Leader Task-based scenarios are the backbone of usability testing. They simulate real-world goals users want to accomplish, helping researchers observe behavior, uncover friction, and validate design decisions. But writing them well is harder than it looks. Too vague, and users flounder. Too prescriptive, and you bias the outcome. The sweet spot? Realistic, goal-driven prompts that let users show you how they think. Here’s how to write UX resea