Understanding the Key Differences Between ResearchOps and Research Strategy
- Philip Burgess
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
By Philip Burgess | UX Research Leader
Research plays a crucial role in shaping products, services, and business decisions. Yet, within the research field, terms like ResearchOps and Research Strategy often cause confusion. Both are essential but serve different purposes. Understanding how they differ helps teams work more effectively and deliver better outcomes.
What is ResearchOps?
ResearchOps, short for Research Operations, focuses on the practical side of research. It involves the systems, processes, and tools that support research activities. The goal is to make research easier, faster, and more consistent across an organization.
ResearchOps covers areas such as:
Managing participant recruitment and scheduling
Organizing research repositories and data storage
Standardizing research methods and templates
Coordinating communication between researchers and stakeholders
Ensuring compliance with privacy and ethical standards
By handling these operational tasks, ResearchOps frees researchers to focus on the actual analysis and insights. It creates a foundation that supports ongoing research efforts without unnecessary delays or confusion.
Example of ResearchOps in Action
Imagine a company launching a new app feature. The ResearchOps team sets up a participant database, schedules usability tests, and maintains a library of previous research reports. This setup allows researchers to quickly gather data and share findings with product teams, speeding up decision-making.
What is Research Strategy?
Research Strategy is about planning and guiding research efforts to align with business goals. It defines what questions to ask, which methods to use, and how to apply findings to create value. This strategic approach ensures research supports long-term objectives and solves the right problems.
Key elements of Research Strategy include:
Setting clear research goals based on company priorities
Choosing appropriate research methods (qualitative, quantitative, mixed)
Allocating resources and budgets for research projects
Integrating research insights into product development and marketing
Measuring the impact of research on business outcomes
Research Strategy shapes the direction of research, ensuring it contributes meaningfully to growth and innovation.
Example of Research Strategy in Practice
A retail company wants to improve customer satisfaction. The research strategy might focus on understanding pain points in the shopping experience. The team decides to use surveys and in-depth interviews, targeting specific customer segments. The insights then guide changes in store layout and online services.
How ResearchOps and Research Strategy Work Together
Though different, ResearchOps and Research Strategy complement each other. Research Strategy sets the vision and goals, while ResearchOps provides the infrastructure and support to execute that vision.
Research Strategy defines what research is needed and why.
ResearchOps ensures research runs smoothly and efficiently.
Together, they improve the quality and speed of insights delivered to decision-makers.
Without ResearchOps, research teams may struggle with logistics and consistency. Without Research Strategy, research efforts risk being unfocused or misaligned with business needs.
Practical Tips for Teams
To get the most from both ResearchOps and Research Strategy, teams can:
Define clear roles: Assign team members to focus on strategy or operations to avoid overlap.
Use tools wisely: Implement software for participant management, data storage, and communication.
Document processes: Create templates and guidelines to standardize research activities.
Align goals: Regularly review research objectives to ensure they match company priorities.
Measure impact: Track how research influences product decisions and business results.
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