User Research in Government: Getting Started
An introduction to essential skills in user research and user-centred service design in government.
2,565 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hoursLanguages
English, Italiano, Español, Français, PortuguêsEnglish, Italiano100% online
How it works
User Research in Government: Getting Started
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Learn the basics of user research with Government Digital Service!
Embark on a journey to transform how you understand user research and how it works in government. This short course equips you with the essential skills and insights needed to excel in user research, paving the way for meaningful, ethical interactions and the creation of services that work for everyone.
On this three week course, you’ll explore the foundational aspects of user research and its importance within government
Understand the essentials of user research
You will learn all about users, user research, and user needs, and explore how user researchers work within multidisciplinary teams to create impactful, user-centred products and services.
Further your understanding of user research in government
In week two, you will learn about agile methods and their history in government. You will explore how user research works across the delivery life cycle, familiarise yourself with the government Service Standard and Design Principles, and learn about the importance of accessibility and inclusion in user-centred design.
Gain confidence in ethical research practices and data analysis
In week three, you’ll learn how to plan and conduct ethical research and the basics of data analysis. As you familiarise yourself with various research tools and methods, you’ll learn to generate actionable insights that drive development.
By completing this course, you’ll gain a robust foundation in user research, the first step towards making a meaningful impact on products and services in government.
Syllabus
Week 1
User Research
Introduction to the course
Welcome to the course! Find out what you will learn over the next 3 weeks.
Users and user research
Learn the basics about users and user research.
User needs
Learn about user needs and user stories.
Summary of the week
A summary of what we learned in Week 1 and a review test.
Week 2
User Research in Government
Introduction to Week 2
Find out what we will be covering in Week 2.
Agile methods and user research
Learn about user research in government, what agile methods are. and how agile shaped the development of GOV.UK.
User-centred design
Learn about the UK government's service standard, design principles, and the importance of inclusive research.
When to do research?
Learn about when and how we decide to do user research and what a roadmap is in user research.
Summary of the week
A summary of what we learned in Week 2 and a review test.
Week 3
User Research in Practice
Introduction to Week 3
Find out what we will be covering in Week 3.
Consent, power dynamics and ethics
Learn about informed consent, power dynamics, and ethical practices in research.
Planning and designing research
Learn about how to scope and plan research and choose research methods.
Running research
Learn about good interview practice by watching a number of scenarios.
Data analysis
Learn about how to analyse different types of data.
Communication and research impact
Learn about how to communicate your findings.
Summary of the week
A summary of what we learned in Week 3 and a review test.
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the key concepts of user research
- explain how user research differs from other forms of research and how it is used in government
- demonstrate a basic understanding of agile methods and how user research works across the phases of the delivery life cycle
- explain the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical practices, as well as ways these may be implemented in user research
- explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods and the basics of data analysis
Who is the course for?
This course is for beginners interested in user research, product or service team members looking to collaborate more effectively with researchers, and private-sector researchers wanting to explore user research within a government context.
Who will you learn with?
Senior Learning Designer in the Government Digital Service.
Who developed the course?
Government Digital and Data
Government Digital and Data is now live on FutureLearn, in partnership with the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Together, we’re helping build the right conditions for digital, data and technology transformation across government — working closely with departments and functions such as commercial, project delivery and security.
| Best ValueBest Value - learn more, save more! | |||
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Start learning today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $54/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Try this course - with limits | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Limited to 3 weeks |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Start learning today
Free
Try this course - with limits
- Limited to 3 weeks
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 2 November 2026 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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