The Most Common Mistakes UX Researchers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

By Philip Burgess – UX Research Leader

Even the most experienced UX researchers can fall into certain traps—especially when timelines are tight, stakeholders are demanding, or the project scope is unclear. Over the years, I’ve noticed some recurring mistakes that can weaken research impact and reduce stakeholder trust.

Here are the most common ones—and how to avoid them.

1. Skipping the Problem Definition Phase

The mistake: Jumping into planning and recruiting without aligning on what problem the research is solving. Why it matters: Without a clear problem statement, research risks being unfocused or irrelevant. How to avoid it: Spend time at the start clarifying objectives, success metrics, and expected impact with stakeholders.

2. Overloading Reports with Data, Not Insights

The mistake: Delivering massive decks full of charts and numbers without a clear “so what? ”Why it matters: Stakeholders have limited time—if they can’t quickly grasp the takeaway, your findings may go unused. How to avoid it: Lead with key insights and actionable recommendations, then provide supporting data for those who want to dig deeper.

3. Not Considering the Business Context

The mistake: Focusing only on the user’s perspective while ignoring business priorities, constraints, or KPIs. Why it matters: Recommendations that don’t align with business goals often get deprioritized or ignored. How to avoid it: Frame findings in terms of both user benefit and business impact.

4. Treating Stakeholders as a Secondary Audience

The mistake: Designing research only for end users and forgetting that stakeholders are “users” of your research too. Why it matters: If stakeholders don’t understand or trust your work, they won’t act on it. How to avoid it: Involve stakeholders early, share progress, and tailor communication to their level of detail and preferred format.

5. Failing to Plan for Actionability

The mistake: Producing beautiful research that doesn’t directly inform decisions or changes. Why it matters: Research without action is just an academic exercise—it doesn’t move the product forward. How to avoid it: Before starting, identify how each research question ties to a design, product, or strategy decision.

6. Ignoring Methodological Limitations

The mistake: Presenting findings as absolute truths without acknowledging constraints like sample size, recruitment bias, or study conditions. Why it matters: Overstating confidence can erode trust if future data contradicts your results. How to avoid it: Always include limitations and recommend follow-up studies when needed.

7. Neglecting Mixed Methods

The mistake: Relying only on qualitative or only on quantitative methods when the situation calls for both. Why it matters: A single method often gives an incomplete picture—numbers tell the “what,” stories tell the “why. ”How to avoid it: Whenever possible, run quant and qual in parallel or sequentially to triangulate insights.

The Bottom Line

Mistakes in UX research don’t just waste time—they can damage credibility and slow down decision-making. By defining the problem upfront, focusing on actionable insights, engaging stakeholders, and embracing methodological rigor, you’ll increase both the value and the influence of your work.

Great research doesn’t just answer questions—it drives change.