Making research more durable
If we answer what’s asked, we only answer known unknowns. Our value comes from excavating deeper
POV
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Articles
Two ambitious paths
For Learners, I differentiate the thoughtful and strategic path toward getting research on your executive leadership team’s radar from the treacherous path that will lead to confusion, bad vibes, and hurt feelings
On transitioning from design to research
Break the research process into a series of smaller experiences to design for your participants and colleagues
Things I repeat often enough about surveys that it was time to write them down
I’ve developed strong opinions about how to build surveys that yield useful information while prioritizing the user experience
This is where the hammer goes
Easy isn’t always effective. By being thoughtful and intentional, we design experiences that lead to better outcomes
Just enough direct reports
The work of UX research is complex, and oversight of that work is a commitment. As a research manager, you must afford time and space to talk through project plans with your directs, and you must also dedicate time to review the evolving plans and documentation created by everyone on your team. There’s no shortcut: the buck stops with you
Moving from journalism to user research
Though the exact methods differ, the approaches of user researchers and journalists are similar: be curious, do your homework, talk to the right people, analyze what you’ve learned, and present it back
Dealing with disrespectful research participants
Encountering an aggressive or disrespectful participant is no doubt uncomfortable. For the Learners community, I shared tips on both how to avoid that situation and what to do if it happens to you
The coaching tree
Managing a team is so much more than setting goals and managing tasks. It’s a commitment to a person and an investment in their growth. While a workplace might be the genesis of a relationship, that relationship should endure far beyond a role or organization
He gets on base
I went heads down 18 months ago to focus on my work and my team. Since then I've come up with a plan to find balance going forward
Grow your impact, then your team
I expanded on a video for the Learners community to explain why hiring is your last resort
Where should research report in an organization?
For the Learners community, I attempted to answer where I think research should report in an organization
A flight of stairs
The original conclusion to my book Research Practice, featuring Ian Mackaye, Matt Gallivan, and Leisa Reichelt
Changing my mind about research practices
Just when I think I've got a handle on user research, I'm forced to revisit my decisions
Why organizations hire user researchers
An excerpt from my book Research Practice on why orgs hire researchers
Considering a UX research opportunity
I talk about some of the many things to consider in deciding on a job in this excerpt from my book Research Practice
5 effective UX research tools that the experts use
For Adobe XD Ideas, I shared my approach to UX research tooling
User research methods: 13 expert tips to master the process
For the Shopify Partners blog, I shared some practical tips to get the most out of UX research
Tips for a rapid transition to remote research
At the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak, I shared tips that have worked for me as a remote researcher
The journalism + user research relationship
On the Vox Product blog, I tackle the journalism and user research relationship
Facebook's News Trustworthiness Survey
For The Verge I wrote about Facebook's news trustworthiness survey
The Field Test
I offered thoughts on what you learn about a product research team in the field for the Field Study Handbook on Medium
Before You Even Open Your Mouth
I contributed a chapter on reading the wider environment for Optimal Workshop
Android: Future Perfect, Present Fractured
Android is a loose collection of disparate experiences unified under an empty moniker
Imperfection Scales
When the promise of a great experience is undermined by small imperfections, the experience—and our trust—erodes