YCombinator presentation: Tips on doing your own user research

Transcript

1. WRITE CODE & TALK TO USERS.
2. Ethnographic observation Logs analysis Micro-surveys Qualitative (direct) Quantitative (indirect) Behavioral Attitudinal Usability lab studies Surveys Personas Approach Data source Participatory design Focus groups Card sorting Desirability studies Eyetracking Usability benchmarking Many m ethods Diary studies
3. TODAY • Methods: • Observation • Interviews • Logistics • Set-up • Recruitment
4. OBSERVATION
5. SHADOW.
6. PAUSE & OBSERVE.
8. INTERVIEWS
9. START WITH AN EASY QUESTION. “How can make our site better?” "Tell me about the last trip you took: where did you go?"
10. SOME QUESTIONS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS. Avoid yes/no questions “Do you like to travel?” Avoid leading questions, e.g. "would you..." questions “Would you use this site next time you're looking for travel?” Ask WWWWH questions: “How did you decide you wanted to travel to Thailand?”
11. BE SPECIFIC. “What sites do you use for accommodations?” “For your trip to Thailand, what sites did you use to figure out where to stay?”
12. SHOW, NOT TELL (WHEN POSSIBLE.) “What are the most important things you consider when deciding where to stay?” “For this next trip to Paris, go ahead and use Airbnb as you normally would, please talk through what you're thinking."
13. DON’T BE AFRAID OF SILENCE. All normal societal rules will tell you to fill silences with talking. Don't.
14. LASTLY: BE NEUTRAL. Easier said than done but essential.
15. WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT
16. METHODS & SCRIPT • Methods: • Observation • Interviews • Write script
18. SET-UP • In-person
20. SET-UP • In-person • Skype screensharing
22. SET-UP • In-person • Skype screensharing • Unmoderated studies, e.g. trymyui.com
24. RECRUIT: • Who: Identify users • Recruit: Friends of friends, Craigslist, coffee shops • Contact & schedule: Email or call to schedule
25. THANKS! Sasha Lubomirsky @sashal