Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts from Coursera

Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts is the fourth course in a certificate program that will equip you with the skills you need to apply to entry-level jobs in user experience (UX) design. In this course, you will learn how to plan and conduct a usability study to gather feedback about designs. Then, you will modify your low-fidelity designs based on insights from your research.

Current UX designers and researchers at Google will serve as your instructors, and you will complete hands-on activities that simulate real-world UX design scenarios. Learners who complete the seven courses in this certificate program should be equipped to apply for entry-level jobs as UX designers.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

- Plan a UX research study, including the project background, research goals, research questions, Key Performance Indicators, methodology, participants, and script.

- Explain the importance of respecting privacy and user data.

- Conduct a moderated and unmoderated usability study.

- Take notes during a usability study.

- Create affinity diagrams to group and analyze data.

- Synthesize observations from research and come up with insights.

- Develop persuasive presentation skills to share research insights.

- Modify low-fidelity designs based on research insights.

- Continue to design a mobile app to include in your professional portfolio.

To be successful in this course, you should complete the previous three courses in the certificate program. Or, you need to have an ability to conduct user research to inform the creation of empathy maps, personas, user stories, user journey maps, problem statements, and value propositions; as well as an ability to create wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes on paper and in Figma.

What's inside

Syllabus

Planning UX research studies

Learn how to plan a UX research study! There are seven elements that your plan should include: the project background, research goals, research questions, key performance indicators, methodology, participants, and the script or questions you’ll ask participants. You'll explore each of these elements in detail, and you'll create your own research plan to test the designs you developed in the previous course of the certificate program. You'll also learn how to respect user privacy and data when conducting UX research.

Conducting research with usability studies

Conducting research with participants to get feedback about your designs is critical. In this part of the course, you'll conduct a usability study, which is a research method that assesses how easy it is for participants to complete core tasks in a design. You'll also explore how to reduce bias and be inclusive when conducting usability studies. And, you'll take notes while observing participants in a usability study.

Analyzing and synthesizing research results

After you conduct a usability study, you'll have a ton of feedback from participants. In this part of the course, you'll analyze and synthesize all of the feedback from your research. You'll gather data and observations in one place, organize the data using an affinity diagram, find themes, and come up with actionable insights.

Sharing research insights for better designs

It's time to let your hard work shine in the spotlight! You’re ready to share and promote the insights from your research. In this part of the course, you’ll learn techniques for presenting insights to various audiences, and you'll improve your presentation skills to grab your audience's attention. In addition, you'll iterate on your designs, which means making revisions to create new-and-improved designs, based on insights from your research.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the fundamentals of UX research, which is a valuable skill in design

Emphasizes the importance of user privacy and data protection in UX research

Provides hands-on activities that simulate real-world UX design scenarios

Cover a wide range of topics, including research planning, conducting studies, analyzing data, and synthesizing insights

Instructed by experienced UX designers and researchers at Google, ensuring the quality and relevance of the content

Requires prior knowledge of UX research and design, making it suitable for individuals with some experience in the field

Reviews summary

Ux research and testing

learners say this course provides an in-depth view of UX research, allowing learners to conduct and analyze research. Developing an understanding of conducting user experience (UX) research is the primary focus of this course. It teaches methods for planning the research study, conducting research with usability studies, analyzing and synthesizing the research results, sharing research insights, and modifying designs based on these insights. The course emphasizes presenting research findings and iterating on designs to incorporate feedback from usability studies.

The course offers engaging assignments that provide hands-on practice with the research process, from planning to presentation.

"The assignments weren't easy - and really reflects the effort you put into the usability study."

"I really enjoyed conducting a usability study and gained so many valuable insights."

The course provides clear instructions and guidance for completing assignments.

"The course provided many examples and templates with detailed step-by-step instructions on how to do it."

"It explains the Plan, Research, Analyze & Synthesize and Share in different weeks and is very effective!"

UX research is crucial for successful design, enabling designers to gain insights into user needs, behaviors, and preferences.

"Conducting UX research and testing early concepts is crucial for successful design."

The course provides valuable insights and practical skills for conducting effective UX research and testing early design concepts.

"This course provided me with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to conduct effective UX research and test early design concepts."

"I learned all the steps to conduct Conduct UX Research from start to finish."

A few students found the material or delivery to be boring or dry.

"At the beginning of the course it saids that this course can be transfer as a credit for studying Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, but at the end when you finish and they give you the certificate, in the certificate it says this: an online non-credit course authorized by Google and offered through Coursera Thats not cool."

Some students found that the course content was repetitive or redundant.

"This course was largely filler and designed to lengthen the overall course."

"Some of the courses were interesting. but it was mostly Information I remember learning in the early years of high school."

Some students found the assignments and materials to be time-consuming or overwhelming.

"in the usability study,it is a little bit overwhelming that we have to list at least 3 insights to get the point, which is mean if somebody make a very logical app that bring user very good experience has to“ make up” some story for the point..."

"It was a bit too long compared to othercourses which were more concise and went straight to the point."

"I felt while Jason was knowlegeable thogh his weekly assigments could be confusing for many students, incluiding myself."

"I think this course covered what it needed to, and did a good job in the types of assignments we needed to complete."

"The last assignment also seemed to confuse a lot of people"

Peer review assignments can be challenging due to inconsistent feedback or reviewers not following instructions.

"The only reason I'm not giving it a full five stars is simply because I realized that a UX Researcher is not what I want to be."

"I have a psychology degree and this course was only a refresher for research concepts."

"The course broke down the UX Research process into simple steps allowing any beginner to be able to conduct UX Research."

"I really enjoyed this part of the UX, I did!"

"The final assignment is not super clear in its instruction."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts with these activities:

Organize and expand on notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams

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Improves retention and understanding of course materials.

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Gather all notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams related to the course.
Review the materials and identify any areas that need clarification or expansion.
Create a summary of the key concepts covered in the materials.

Review empathy maps, personas, user stories, user journey maps, problem statements, and value propositions

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Provides a strong foundation for the UX research and design process.

Browse courses on Empathy Maps

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Compile any notes, assignments, quizzes, or exams from previous courses on these topics.
Review the course syllabus to identify any relevant sections.
Complete any assigned readings or online resources.

Practice note-taking during usability studies

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Enhances the ability to capture and synthesize research observations.

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Review note-taking techniques for usability studies.
Practice taking notes during a usability study.

Six other activities

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Show all nine activities

Plan a UX research study

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Gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to a real-world scenario.

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Identify the research goals and objectives.
Develop a research plan that outlines the methodology, participants, and data collection methods.
Get feedback on your research plan from your instructor or peers.

Conduct a moderated usability study

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Allows you to practice and refine your usability study skills.

Browse courses on UX Research

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Find a video tutorial on conducting a moderated usability study.
Follow the steps in the video to conduct your own study.
Analyze the results of your study and identify any areas for improvement.

Create affinity diagrams with a study group

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Provides an opportunity to collaborate and learn from peers.

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Gather a group of peers to work with.
Brainstorm a list of ideas related to the research topic.
Group the ideas into categories.

Analyze research results

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Reinforces data analysis skills and improves interpretation of UX research findings.

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Review the different types of data analysis techniques.
Practice analyzing data from a UX research study.
Summarize the results of your analysis in a clear and concise way.

Modify low-fidelity designs

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Provides hands-on practice in applying UX research insights to improve designs.

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Review the research insights from your usability study.
Make changes to your low-fidelity designs based on the insights.
Test your modified designs with users to get feedback.

Develop persuasive presentation skills

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Helps develop essential communication skills necessary for sharing UX research insights.

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Research different presentation techniques and styles.
Practice your presentation in front of a mirror or with a friend.
Record yourself giving your presentation and review it for areas of improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

UX Designer

A UX Designer is responsible for designing the user experience of products and services. This can include designing the layout of a website, the interface of a mobile app, or the flow of a user interaction. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for UX Designers who want to create user-friendly products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

UX Researcher

A UX Researcher is responsible for conducting user research studies to gather feedback about designs. This feedback can be used to improve the design of products and services. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for UX Researchers who want to gather valuable feedback from users.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for managing the development of products and services. This can include defining the product vision, setting the product roadmap, and working with engineers and designers to bring the product to market. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Product Managers who want to develop products and services that meet the needs of users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Service Designer

A Service Designer is responsible for designing the way that services are delivered to users. This can include designing the customer journey, the service blueprint, and the overall experience of using a service. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Service Designers who want to create user-friendly and efficient services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer

Interaction Designer

An Interaction Designer is responsible for designing the way that users interact with products and services. This can include designing the user interface, the user experience, and the overall flow of a user interaction. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Interaction Designers who want to create user-friendly and engaging experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

User Experience Analyst

A User Experience Analyst is responsible for evaluating the user experience of products and services. This can include conducting user research studies, analyzing data, and making recommendations for improvements. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for User Experience Analysts who want to improve the user experience of products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Analyst

User Researcher

A User Researcher is responsible for conducting user research studies to gather feedback about products and services. This feedback can be used to improve the design and development of products and services. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for User Researchers who want to gather valuable feedback from users.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Researcher

Information Architect

An Information Architect is responsible for designing the way that information is organized and presented to users. This can include designing the sitemap, the navigation, and the overall structure of a website or app. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Information Architects who want to create user-friendly and easy-to-navigate experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Visual Designer

A Visual Designer is responsible for designing the visual elements of products and services. This can include designing the logo, the typography, and the overall look and feel of a website or app. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Visual Designers who want to create visually appealing experiences that attract and engage users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Front-End Developer

A Front-End Developer is responsible for designing and developing the user interface of websites and apps. This can include designing the layout, the typography, and the overall look and feel of a website or app. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Front-End Developers who want to create user-friendly and visually appealing experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

Product Designer

A Product Designer is responsible for designing the overall experience of products and services. This can include designing the user interface, the user experience, and the overall flow of a user interaction. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Product Designers who want to create user-friendly and engaging experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

UX Writer

A UX Writer is responsible for writing the text that appears in user interfaces. This can include writing error messages, help text, and marketing copy. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for UX Writers who want to write clear and concise text that helps users complete their tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Writer

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns. This can include developing marketing strategies, creating marketing materials, and managing marketing budgets. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Marketing Managers who want to create effective marketing campaigns that reach the right audience.

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Data Analyst

A Data Analyst analyzes data to identify patterns and trends. This data can be used to make informed decisions about products, services, and marketing campaigns. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Data Analysts who want to identify valuable insights that can be used to improve products and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Researcher

A Researcher conducts research to gather data and information about a particular topic. This can include conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The course Conduct UX Research and Test Early Concepts can help you develop the skills you need to succeed in this role by teaching you how to plan and conduct user research studies, analyze and synthesize research results, and share research insights. These skills are essential for Researchers who want to gather valuable data and information that can be used to make informed decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher