When to Use Which User Research Methods

Source: NNG / Nielsen Norman Group

The field of user experience has a wide range of research methods available, ranging from tried-and-true methods such as lab-based usability testing to those that have been more recently developed, such as unmoderated UX assessments.

While it's not realistic to use the full set of methods on a given project, nearly all projects would benefit from multiple research methods and from combining insights. Unfortunately, many design teams only use one or two methods that they are most familiar with. The key question is what to use when. To better understand when to use which method, it is helpful to view them along a 3-dimensional framework with the following axes:

Attitudinal vs. Behavioral • Qualitative vs. Quantitative • Context of Use