User Research

re·search |r-sûrch, rsûrch|

Systematic investigation to establish facts

To study (something) thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner

There are a variety of techniques that can be used to gather information about your users and their behaviours and preferences:

Surveys
Contextual Inquiry
Navigation Testing
Field Study
User Experience Testing

Working with you and the information you already possess about your users, we will develop a user research plan that fits your needs and your budget.

ADGi uses a user-driven, goal-oriented approach that is focused on the user's process rather than pass/fail ratios for specific tasks. Through extensive experience in the test environment we have found that giving control to the user in terms of asking them to undertake activities that are relevant to their own context rather follow a highly-scripted set of pre-defined tasks leads to richer insights into how users want to interact with a given application, device, or site as well as where usability errors occur in the user's natural setting.

A key element of our approach is to encourage all those who can influence the implementation of the session's outcomes to attend at least some of the user experience testing session. The team is then assembled for a post-session de-brief lead by ADGi where the team's observations are discussed and key issues to be addressed are identified.

The benefit of this process is that the team as a whole takes ownership of the research results, and there is consensus about what the priority issues are. Our deep experience with usability and user experience testing is brought to bear to help lead the discussions but ownership is left with the team.

Depending on your needs, ADGi can come to you (bringing all the equipment necessary) or we can conduct the testing in our own lab. We also offer recruiting services if needed.