The UX research landscape has become increasingly complex, with professionals often managing a variety of tools to conduct their work effectively. To shed light on these challenges, Mohamed, a recent MIT graduate at LOOKA, conducted a study involving interviews with senior UX researchers from Africa and North America. This research provides valuable insights into the tools and processes shaping the industry and highlights the specific obstacles researchers face.

Understanding these factors is essential for developing more effective and integrated research tools that can enhance the efficiency and quality of UX research practices. By conducting this study, LOOKA aims to better understand what researchers need and how they use these tools, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and improving its role as your research operations partner.
To gain deeper insights, we delved into Mohammed's research, asking:

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your study on UX research tools and what prompted you to undertake this research?

Mohamed: My study aimed to understand how UX researchers and those involved in research work interact with various tools. I wanted to explore what tools and features are most valued, what’s missing, and what could be improved. The motivation behind this research was to uncover insights that could help in developing more integrated and effective research tools.

Q: What were some of the key tools and features that users expressed a need for?

Mohamed: Researchers generally prefer tools that integrate seamlessly with others they regularly use, such as Slack for communication, Miro for whiteboarding, and Dovetail for qualitative analysis. The key features they value include seamless connectivity across different stages of the research process preparation, analysis, and reporting without the need for constant switching between platforms. For example, being able to transition smoothly from using Google Forms for surveys to Dovetail for analysis is highly valued. Tools that offer a comprehensive suite of functionalities within a single platform, such as LOOKA, are particularly favored for their efficiency.

Q: Were there any common dislikes or challenges reported by the users regarding the tools they use?

Mohamed: Yes, participants often mentioned that they were drawn away from tools that were not well-integrated with other popular tools. They dislike having to use multiple disparate tools and prefer solutions that offer a more cohesive experience. Additionally, pricing was a significant concern; many found that the cost of using several specialized tools added up quickly, making it challenging to justify the investment. Difficulties in recruitment and getting responses from participants were also notable challenges.

Q: What were some interesting differences you observed between users from Africa and the US?

Mohamed: One interesting observation was the diversity in tool usage among researchers in different regions. While some regions favored more specialized tools, others preferred more general, versatile solutions. There was also a varying level of tool integration and feature sets based on regional practices and access to resources.

Q: How did you find the overall experience of conducting this study?

Mohamed: Overall, it was a rewarding experience. I particularly enjoyed talking with people from around the world and learning about their different approaches to UX research. It was fascinating to discover a new career field and the various ways people use research tools.

Q: What were some of the challenges you faced during the study?

Mohamed: Recruitment was a significant challenge. Figuring out how to reach out to the right people and getting them to respond to emails was often difficult. Despite these hurdles, the interest and support from participants were encouraging and made the effort worthwhile.

Q: Were there any surprises during your research?

Mohamed: I was pleasantly surprised by the strong interest and enthusiasm people showed in supporting my research. The diversity of comments and feedback was also quite enlightening, providing a broad perspective on the needs and preferences of UX researchers. Additionally, I was struck by the emphasis on the importance of offline features, especially for researchers in regions with inconsistent internet access. Another unexpected finding was the general dissatisfaction with AI features; many users tried them out but found the results lacking, leading them to stop using these features after a few attempts.

Q: How do you think these findings will influence the development of future research tools?

Mohamed: The insights from this study will be instrumental in guiding the development of more integrated and user-friendly research tools. By addressing the specific needs and preferences uncovered, developers can create tools that better support the entire research process, ultimately improving efficiency and effectiveness in UX research.

We're gathering more insights from researchers as we build this product. If you're interested in sharing your experience, please contact us at serigne@getlooka.com. Stay tuned for a future article where we'll dive into the concrete findings of Mohamed's report.