Research
I consider research to be the underpinning of all my design output. In my studies at Bentley University, I had the opportunity to intern under some of the talented researchers at Fidelity, Verizon, and the Bentley Design & Usability Center (now the Bentley UX Center). I've been lucky to work with colleagues since then who push me to continuously improve my own research skills. Below are a few of the methods I am very comfortable using, though by no means an exhaustive list:
Usability Testing
Planning, moderating, and reporting on formal usability testing is something I've done more than any other type of research activity. It may be unmoderated on UserTesting.com, or moderated sessions with remote or in-person participants. Sometimes the scenarios and tasks are aimed at exploration and discovery, as part of a generative study, while other times the test plan is highly structured and all about validation of specific interfaces and user flows. I am by no means a master, but I am well-trained and at-ease with all aspects of this method. Take a look at a selection of plans and reports from some of the studies I have led using this method:
LINK: Executive presentation for end-to-end consumer experience review (2015)
LINK: Test plan for alpha release and user feedback for Repeating Events (2014)
LINK: Test plan for consumer decision-making research (2013)
LINK: Findings summary for consumer research (2013)
Heuristic evaluation of event creation flow on Eventbrite:
Interviews & Surveys
I often employ user interviews and surveys early on in design projects. Surveys allow me to gather structured input from a large number of people, while interviews are usually fairly open-ended with much fewer participants. I used interviews early on in Repeating Events and Analytics to identify what users needed and how they expected the future tools to work. I've used surveys to collect feedback on recently-released products, or to get pulse-checks on how people think about (or say they think about) certain tasks prior to more in-depth research or design work.
Old Fashioned Observation
Sometimes, the best insights and greatest empathy come from simply watching how people go about their business. At Eventbrite, I regularly find myself in "the field" with event organizers, helping to check people in for an event or watching the customer service and box office staff as they manage flurries of activity. Sometimes, I get to ask questions after the chaos, while other times I simply walk away with a greater understanding of how people operate in the environments for which our products are built. On the RoastLog project, there's no way I could have understood the needs of the coffee roasters without observing them at work in their "natural habitat." Seeing the unbridled behaviors and real-life contexts of people, as they interact with the systems I help design, is an invaluable input in any design process.
Card Sorts
I have run formal card sorts with recruited participants only a few times, but only because it simply doesn't apply to many research needs. Card sorts have been some of the most informative and insightful studies I have ever run, though. Recently, I led a study to explore how people categorize content, in order to guide what kind of system (fixed taxonomy, folksonomy, hybrid) would best suite the platform. Sadly, I don't have the stereotypical picture of me in front of a card sort wall to share with you here, but I'm confident you can imagine how it might look.
LINK: Artifact of categorization card sort
...Also, I'm Still Learning
There are tons of great research methods out there for the avid user researcher. I've had direct experience with the ones above, as well as a few others, but am always eager to find opportunities for new research methods. There are two methods in particular that I have yet to use in studies, but would love to try: ethnography and diary.