Master 10 research methods—interviews, usability tests, diary studies and more—with guidance on when to use each, templates, and tips to generate actionable insights.
February 21, 2026
Ivan S
Lead Marketing Designer @Scribe, Founder @bookmarkify
Want to build products users actually love? It starts with understanding them deeply. These research methods give you the tools to do that.
User interviews and usability testing are the two most widely used design research methods across teams of all sizes. Interviews surface motivations, mental models, and unspoken needs; usability tests reveal how people actually interact with a product. Together they form the core of most UX research programs.
Qualitative research (interviews, observation, diary studies) explores the 'why' behind user behavior — giving you depth and context. Quantitative research (surveys, analytics, A/B tests) gives you the 'what' and 'how many' — statistically significant patterns across large groups. Strong research programs use both to validate findings from multiple angles.
For qualitative usability testing, research consistently shows that 5 participants uncover ~85% of usability issues. For quantitative research like surveys, statistical significance typically requires 100+ responses depending on your confidence threshold. The right number depends on your method, question, and how much risk you're willing to accept.
Absolutely. Guerrilla research — quick hallway tests, remote unmoderated sessions, and social media surveys — can yield valuable insights with minimal resources. Tools like Maze, Lookback, and Google Forms make research accessible even for solo designers and early-stage startups.
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