"A comprehensive guide to qualitative research methods in user experience (UX), the interaction between humans and digital products, designed for media and communication students. Angela M. Cirucci and Urszula M. Pruchniewska provide an accessible introduction to the field (including the history of UX and common UX design terminology). Readers are taken through the entire research design process, with an outline for preparing a study (including a planning template), a discussion of recruitment techniques, an exploration of ethics considerations, and a detailed breakdown of 12 essential UX research methods. The 12 methods covered include emotional journeys, screenshot diaries, walkthroughs, contextual inquiry, card sorting, and usability testing, and eachmethods chapter includes a step-by-step breakdown, discussions of in-person vs. virtual procedures, and a "What You Need" section. Throughout the book, useful parallels are drawn between traditional academic research methods and UX methods, and special attention is paid to diversity and inclusivity. This is an essential text for media and communications students wishing to become familiar with UX research methods, a rapidly growing field that will open numerous exciting career paths for graduates"--
A comprehensive guide to qualitative research methods in user experience (UX), the interaction between humans and digital products, designed for media and communication students.
Section 1: Introduction
1. What is UX?
2. Biased Digital Structures and
UX
3. How Did We Get Here?
4. Interfaces and Navigation Section 2: Preparing
Your Study
5. Design Thinking Mindset
6. Planning a UX Research Project
7.
Reporting and Presenting Findings Section 3: Methods
8. Traditional Research
Methods Overview: Interviews, Focus Groups, Qualitative Surveys,
Observations, and Thematic Analyses
9. Emotional Journey Mapping
10.
Screenshot Diaries
11. Breakup and Love Letters
12. Contextual Inquiry
13.
Personas and Scenarios
14. Problem Trees
15. Cognitive Mapping
16. Brain
Writing and Darkside Writing
17. Card Sorting and Tree Testing
18. Heuristic
Evaluations and Walkthroughs as Critical Analysis
19. Usability Testing
20.
A/B Testing
Angela M. Cirucci is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Rowan University. Her work explores the symbolic meaning of programming languages, the intersection of institutional practice and user knowledge, and user experience. She also examines how digital spaces impact the lives of marginalized communities. She frequently teaches classes on New Media and Communication, Participatory Media, User Experience Design and Research, and Communication Research Methods.
Urszula M. Pruchniewska is a Senior UX Researcher in the nonprofit industry. She is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in research and design practices and to using technology for positive social change. Previously, she was Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Kutztown University, where she taught User Experience Design and Research, Communication Research Methods, Social Media Ethics, and Social Media Theory and Strategy.
