UX research is systematically studying targeted users to collect and analyze data that will help inform the product design process. Before reaching out to random people, there are some things that should be considered. Below is a summary of how to find and recruit people who would want to be interviewed and a set of prerequisite questions you should already have in mind.
Determine Interview Goals
First, you should start with the end in mind and determine the interview goals. Time is valuable and to not waste it, you need to make the most of your time together by having clear goals. Ask yourself what you plan to accomplish with the set of users. What do you want to learn from them? Be more specific. Are there certain user problems you need help from users to emphasize with?
- I want to better understand user frustrations to the product we are designing.
- I want to identify specific pain points on user navigating behavior.
- I want to understand raw emotions people experience with the product.
Screener Survey
A screener survey is a specific type of survey used that allows the researcher to ask specific questions that will help determine if the potential participant meets the requirements for the research study. Why should there be requirements? The reason there should be requirements is because you have research goals and you need a specific target audience that will help you answer those questions. Specifically, you might be looking for certain user characteristics, ages, diverse set of backgrounds, geographic location, profession, or gender.
Demographic questions in surveys can raise a red flag for some participants so it is important to be mindful of how the questions are presented. Ask questions in a way that is respectful, make questions optional, and give a brief description of why the question is being asked.
Sourcing Research Study Participants
There are a variety of ways to find research participants but there are also a variety of factors that come into play on how and where you find research study participants. For example, the company you work for, type of product, time constraints, budget, and accessibility of users. Below is a list of sources to choose from:
- Personal network
- Active product users
- Social media networks
- Active street campaigns
- Third-party recruiting agencies
Contacting Research Study Participants
The most formal way to reach out to the target users is via email. With an email, you have the opportunity to introduce yourself and the project in detail. Below is a list of key items to include in the email:
- Research study explanation
- Research study goals
- Physical address if research is in person or link if online
- Research date
- Research time range
- Your contact information
- Consent form details
If the budget permits, an incentive could be a motivating factor for many people to participate such as a gift card.
Research Exemplar
Research based study for restaurant mobile application.
Interview goals:
I want to understand common challenges people face trying to manage a busy schedule and meal planning.
I want to identify frustrations people experience during the process of ordering from a restaurant.
Interview questions:
- Can you describe your current schedule and how you balance your responsibilities with meal planning?
- How often do you order meals from a restaurant? When you do, what is your motivation for doing so?
- What challenges do you face in the ordering process? How does this make you feel?
- Is there any way in which you feel these challenges could be resolved?
Target participant characteristics:
- Ages 18-62
- Lives in metropolitan or suburban areas
- People who order food from restaurants at least once a week
- Include participants of different genders
- Include participants with different abilities
Example research exemplar source google.