How is user research different from other types of research?

In simple terms, research is the search for knowledge and truth. It is a structured, systematic way of investigating problems and testing hypotheses, analysing data and coming to conclusions.

As user researchers, we share our skills with other researchers and there are similarities between different types of research:

• we operate within an ethical framework
• we look for evidence to inform and make design decisions and improve services
• we use a range of appropriate methods and approaches to gather evidence
• we use a range of appropriate methods and approaches when analysing and synthesising qualitative or quantitative data

However, the scope of our research differs:

User research

User researchers study the behaviour, motivations and needs of people (users) in a particular context to learn how people understand and use things in their daily lives. User researchers are found in government, the wider public sector and the private sector.

It often includes thinking about how these factors change over time.

User researchers work in delivery environments and tailor research methods to help their teams and organisations learn. While other researchers produce studies or reports, user researchers help produce products and services.

Social research

Social researchers study people and societies – what we can call social phenomena – so that they can propose and design services that cater to various needs of the people, through the lens of social groups and their specific context.

Social researchers are found in academia, government and the private sector. Governments often commission research and evaluation to academia and the private sector, but there are also social researchers who work internally in government. They use their practice to inform and measure policies.

Social research uses a mixture of big and small sample sizes, depending on the research approach. A ‘sample size’ simply means the number of people who participate in the research.

Market research

Market research is primarily used to find out what consumer preferences and wants are. It helps businesses to stay competitive.

Market research generally uses big sample sizes, which are demographically and proportionally representative of the target market.

Academic or scientific research

Academic researchers aim to solve specific problems and expand knowledge by discovering new ideas. Academic research occurs in the humanities as well as sciences and results are shared widely so that other researchers can review the experiments and try to replicate the results.

Research happens in different places, different contexts and for different reasons, with different outcomes sought. There is no clear boundary between these types of research and there are many similarities between them.

Research ability is a skill that can be used in many different ways – user research in government is just one.

Task

Think back to the comments you made in step 1.4. Were you aware of the differences between these types of research, and, if not, would you change the answer you gave? Are there other types of research that you can think of?

Share your thoughts with other learners in the comments below.