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Conduct a User Research Study
Plan, execute, and synthesize a comprehensive user research study from recruitment to insights.
2-4 weeks
6 steps
Overview
A complete user research methodology that guides you through planning, recruiting, conducting, and synthesizing user research. This playbook covers everything from research questions to actionable insights, with specific prompts for interviews, surveys, and analysis.
Prerequisites
- Clear research objectives
- Access to target users or recruitment budget
- Research tools (interview platform, survey tool, etc.)
- Time for synthesis and analysis
Steps
1
Research Planning
4 hoursDefine research objectives, questions, and methodology.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Research objectives document
- •Research questions
- •Methodology selection
- •Timeline and resources
Tips:
- •Start with clear objectives - what do you need to learn?
- •Choose the right method for your questions
- •Plan for synthesis time (often underestimated)
2
Recruitment Planning
2 hoursDefine participant criteria and create recruitment materials.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Participant criteria
- •Screening survey
- •Recruitment email template
- •Recruitment timeline
Tips:
- •Recruit 2-3 extra participants as backups
- •Screen carefully to ensure good fit
- •Start recruitment early - it takes longer than expected
3
Interview Guide Creation
3 hoursCreate structured interview guides with questions and prompts.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Interview guide
- •Question list
- •Probing questions
- •Note-taking template
Tips:
- •Start broad, then go deep
- •Include behavioral questions, not just opinions
- •Practice the guide before real interviews
4
Conduct Interviews
1-2 hours per interviewRun user interviews and capture insights.
Deliverables:
- •Interview recordings/notes
- •Key quotes
- •Observations
Tips:
- •Record with permission
- •Take notes during, full notes after
- •Look for patterns across interviews
5
Research Synthesis
1-2 daysSynthesize findings into actionable insights.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Key findings document
- •Insights and themes
- •Recommendations
- •Personas or user models (if applicable)
Tips:
- •Synthesize immediately after interviews
- •Look for patterns, not just individual quotes
- •Separate observations from interpretations
6
Share Findings
4 hoursCreate and present research findings to stakeholders.
Prompts to use:
Deliverables:
- •Research report
- •Presentation deck
- •Key insights summary
- •Recommendations
Tips:
- •Lead with insights, not methodology
- •Use quotes and examples to bring findings to life
- •Include clear next steps