How To Conduct Generative User Research

 

Generative User Interface Testing is a branch of Usability Research that attempts to understand user interface requirements by collecting data on user behavior. User research is one of the key elements in the design of any website or product. But to understand user interface, you need to know what actually makes a user sit down, stand up or move their mouse. This is where usability research comes in. It helps identify these behavior types and then target them towards improvement. Usability testing is also used to determine which parts of a site or product can be improved most.

Generative Usability Testing (GUST) typically have objectives like identifying user needs, identifying problems users may encounter, finding out who users really are or identifying user expectations. Chances are good that these findings from these studies would remain unbiased and true for years to come. However, conducting GUST could become quite time-consuming, making it difficult for stakeholders to incorporate these findings into the design of their projects. A good approach to GUST is to combine traditional usability research methods with the emerging methodology of Generative Usability Testing (GUST).

To conduct generative ux research, the researchers collect user needs and concerns via a series of questions and surveys. Then they compare these findings with other sources to see if there are any inconsistencies. When inconsistencies are found, designers can adjust the design to better meet the user's needs. For example, if an item is found to be visually different from other items, then it might be removed or given another color, or different attributes added. By understanding the needs of the people who use a product or a website, designers gain a deeper understanding of how they should design future products or websites.

After collecting enough data, the researchers then make the data available to all stakeholders in a form that they can access. This typically includes drawings, charts, photographs, or virtual prototypes that show the results of the research. The best format for presenting the results, however, is a table or spreadsheet. This allows stakeholders to see the actual, concrete results from the research, as well as the relationship between the observed results and their priorities. This provides them with the information they need to prioritize their own needs and create an online site that meets their user's needs. The stakeholders are then able to make informed decisions about the design of a website.

When the research team makes its presentation, it is important to include all of the stakeholders. This includes everyone from the company that is conducting the research to the business managers who will be dealing with design and usability issues on a daily basis. By including everyone, the researchers allow all parties to understand the impact of their findings and gain new insights about how to improve their current designs. By also including the financial backing of the stakeholders, the researchers to ensure that their findings are not ignored and that they are leveraged by the stakeholders.

The purpose of a stakeholder-based session is to make sure that the research recommendations actually make sense to the end users. By ensuring that their needs are addressed, the researchers establish a baseline from which improvements can be assessed. The session helps to establish rapport between the research team and the target audience. When this baseline is measured and analyzed, the designers and developers know where to start and how to improve their designs.