What is UX research? types, methods, and how to get started?

Every day, millions of users interact with digital products, but only some become part of their daily lives. Why? The answer often lies in how well they understand their users.

Every great product starts with user research. Think about it: Netflix didn't just guess what shows to produce, and Airbnb didn't randomly design their booking experience. They invested time in understanding the 'why' behind user behavior, and that's exactly what user research helps you uncover.

At CleverX, we've seen firsthand how proper research can transform good ideas into great products. Whether you're a product manager trying to figure out your next feature priority, a UX designer wondering if that new interface actually makes sense, or a marketer looking to validate your campaign ideas—user research is your compass in the complex world of product development.

So, in this blog, we'll break down everything you need to know about UX research. We'll explore different research methods (trust me, there's more than just surveys!), walk through real-world examples, and share practical tips to help you get started. By the end of this article, you'll have a solid understanding of:

• What UX research is and why it matters.
• Different types of user research methods and their unique applications.
• How to choose the right research method for your specific goals.
• Practical ways to get started with UX research.

What's your research goal? Let's get specific

Before we jump onto the how of research, let’s talk about the why first. What are you trying to figure out?

I like to think of research goals as questions we’re trying to answer. Here are the main ones where teams generally struggle with:

1. Will people use this?
   Maybe you have a new feature in mind or even a whole new product. Before your team spends months building it, you want to know if it’s worth the effort. Makes sense, right?
2. Is this easy to use?
   We’ve all rage-quit an app or website because it was too confusing. This goal is about making sure your users don’t feel that way. You want to watch how people use your product and spot where they get stuck.
3. Why do users do that?
   Sometimes users surprise us. Like when they use a feature in a completely different way than intended or ignore that shiny new button you were sure they’d love. This goal is about understanding why people do what they do.
4. How big is this problem?
   When you spot an issue, you want to know if it’s affecting just a few users or if it’s a bigger deal. This helps you decide what to fix first.

Now, let’s look at how to get these answers. 

The role of user research: Getting it right from the start

Think about your favorite app. Chances are, it just works, almost like it can read your mind. That’s not luck; it’s the result of thoughtful user research.

User research is like being a detective for your users. You observe, ask questions, and piece together what people really need. It’s the difference between building something you think is cool and building something people actually want to use.

Why does this matter?

Here’s how solid user research makes all the difference:

• Understand real user behavior: Ever watched someone use your product and thought, “Wait, why did they do that?” Those moments reveal the gap between assumptions and reality.
• Catch problems early: Fixing a prototype is much easier (and cheaper) than rebuilding a finished product. Research helps you spot issues before they become costly mistakes.
• Make confident decisions: With real data to guide you, there’s no need for endless debates about what users might want.
• Build things people love: No more features that look great in meetings but fail in real life.

When you get user research right, it shows in the final product. Users can feel it, even if they can’t quite explain why.

Now, let's look at how to actually do this research using various methods

Choosing the right user research (UX) methods

The first step in choosing a research method is asking yourself: “What do I need to learn?”

Are you testing whether people will use a new feature? Trying to figure out why users drop off at a certain step? Or maybe you’re quantifying how big an issue really is? Once you’re clear on your goal, it’s much easier to pick the method that delivers the answers you need.

Here’s the good news: Modern tools make it simple to conduct research that used to take weeks. Platforms like CleverX help you:

• Recruit the right participants: Tailor your participant pool to fit your study goals.
• Analyze insights quickly: Real-time tools let you gather and interpret data faster.
• Simplify logistics: From participant screening to incentive planning, the right tools handle the heavy lifting for you.

Often, the best results come from combining different methods. For example, you might use online surveys for large-scale feedback and follow up with moderated interviews to dig deeper into specific insights. By blending qualitative and quantitative approaches, you can uncover the “why” behind user behavior and make informed decisions with confidence.

Types of user research methods

Understanding user behavior and preferences is the cornerstone of product success. User research gives teams the insights they need to make informed decisions, validate ideas, refine usability, and build solutions that truly connect with their audience. Choosing the right method ensures your research is not just effective but impactful.

What is user research?

Let’s start off with the basics. What exactly is user research? Well, it involves a range of methods designed to understand how users think, behave, and interact with a product or service. At its core, user research is a systematic approach to understanding how users interact with a product or service. These methods rely on techniques like observation, task analysis, and feedback collection to deliver actionable insights. Whether you’re designing a new product or improving an existing one, user research helps ensure that every decision is rooted in real-world data, making it a critical component of user-centered design.

By prioritizing user research, organizations can reduce development risks, enhance customer satisfaction, and build products that not only meet user expectations but exceed them. The choice of research methods depends on project goals, the stage of product development, and the type of insights required. Often, a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods yields the most comprehensive results.

What’s ideal for you?

The best research method depends on your goals. 

• Are you validating a concept? 
• Testing usability? 
• Understanding user behavior? 

Start by defining the problem you’re trying to solve, and tailor your approach accordingly.

Often, combining qualitative (e.g., interviews or observations) and quantitative (e.g., surveys or analytics) methods gives you the full picture. It’s not just about gathering data—it’s about making sense of it in a way that drives action.

Let’s look at the four key research methods and their applications as follows:

1. Online surveys

Online surveys are one of the most versatile tools in user research. They help you collect large-scale feedback quickly and cost-effectively, making them perfect for everything from market research to usability studies. By distributing structured questionnaires to a targeted audience, you can gather valuable insights into user preferences, behaviors, and satisfaction levels.

Why are online surveys important?
Online surveys are great for foundational research, like understanding market demand or evaluating customer satisfaction. With tools like CleverX, you can go a step further:

• Real-time distribution ensures you get responses fast.
• Customizable templates make it easy to tailor surveys to your needs.
• Analytics dashboards help you turn raw data into actionable insights.

Using a mix of close-ended and open-ended questions allows you to collect both hard numbers (like Net Promoter Scores) and deeper insights into user opinions.

Where do online surveys shine?

• B2B: Enterprise software companies use surveys to prioritize feature development based on client feedback.
• B2C: Retail platforms analyze customer satisfaction with their checkout process to improve conversions.
• Healthcare: Surveys help map patient journeys and identify pain points in accessing care.
• Fintech: Financial institutions test compliance and usability in digital banking apps.

Advantages of online surveys

• Scalability: Reach thousands of respondents across demographics and geographies with minimal effort.
• Cost-efficiency: Gather broad insights without blowing your budget.
• Flexibility: Tailor surveys to your research goals and iterate quickly.
• Instant insights: Use real-time analytics to identify trends and patterns immediately.

2. Moderated research

Moderated research is a qualitative method where researchers interact with participants in real time. This hands-on approach allows you to dive deep into user motivations, attitudes, and behaviors through guided discussions or structured tasks. Its dynamic nature makes it especially valuable for exploratory studies.

Why does moderated research stand out?

‍Moderated research isn’t just about asking questions—it’s about building a connection. Unlike automated tools or surveys, it creates a human interaction that fosters trust and encourages honest feedback.

A skilled moderator can adapt questions in the moment, dig deeper into user responses, and uncover insights that might be missed in other methods. That’s why it’s a go-to for usability testing, in-depth interviews, and focus groups.

Where moderated research is used?

• B2B: Financial services firms test the usability of client portals, refining workflows with direct user feedback.
• B2C: E-commerce companies improve navigation and product discovery by observing users interact with their platforms.
• Healthcare: Telemedicine providers enhance interface design and accessibility by exploring patient experiences.
• Fintech: Moderated research helps test customer onboarding processes to ensure clarity and ease of use.

Key advantages of moderated research

• Adaptability: Researchers can pivot in real time to explore unexpected themes or refine tasks.
• Deeper insights: Moderators can ask follow-up questions to clarify and enrich user responses.
• Rich Data: Combines attitudinal insights (what users say) with behavioral insights (what users do).

3. Unmoderated research

Unmoderated research lets participants complete tasks on their own, making it an efficient way to gather insights at scale. There’s no need for real-time facilitation—participants interact with your product in their natural environments and at their own pace.

Why choose unmoderated research?

‍Unmoderated research is a game-changer for usability testing and spotting friction points in digital experiences. By using automated tools, you can collect performance metrics like:

• Task completion time
• Click paths
• Error rates

The best part? It removes scheduling constraints, making it perfect for reaching diverse audiences across time zones.

Where unmoderated research is used?

• B2B: SaaS companies test how users interact with complex dashboards to identify usability challenges.
• B2C: Retail brands ensure a seamless shopping experience by testing mobile app navigation.
• Healthcare: Providers improve patient portal engagement and satisfaction through usability assessments.
• Fintech: Digital banking platforms test transaction flows to boost user trust and efficiency.

Key advantages of unmoderated research

• Efficiency: Gather data from a large audience without needing live facilitation.
• Natural behavior: Participants interact with your product in real-world settings, free from external influence.
• Cost savings: Save on resources like scheduling and moderation, while still gathering valuable insights.

4. Video interactions

Video interactions combine the depth of moderated research with the flexibility of unmoderated methods. By capturing both verbal and non-verbal cues—like facial expressions and tone of voice—they provide a richer context for understanding user experiences.

Why are video interactions powerful?

‍This method goes beyond just listening to what users say. It lets researchers observe how users react, uncovering emotions and attitudes that might be missed with other methods. CleverX makes this process even easier with tools for transcription, sentiment analysis, and annotation, helping teams identify key themes and share findings effectively.

Where video interactions are used?

• B2B: HR software providers analyze candidate experiences during virtual hiring processes.
• B2C: Subscription services gather feedback on new feature rollouts by observing user reactions.
• Healthcare: Telehealth providers capture patient feedback to refine virtual consultation interfaces.
• Fintech: Financial platforms test dashboard features by observing live user interactions.

Advantages of video interactions

• Rich context: Gain deeper insights from non-verbal cues, like body language and tone.
• Collaboration-friendly: Share recorded sessions with team members to align on key insights.
• Flexibility: Use live sessions for immediate feedback or asynchronous video submissions for convenience.

Platform analytics features

• Automated insight generation: Let AI-powered tools turn raw data into actionable findings.
• Team collaboration tools: Enhance decision-making with integrated sharing and annotation capabilities.
• Multiple export formats: Export data in CSV, PDF, or presentation-ready PPTX formats.
• Custom reporting dashboards: Visualize and analyze data effectively with tailored reports.

Compare research methods at a glance

Each user research method has its own strengths:

• Online Surveys: Quantitative; ideal for collecting large-scale feedback quickly and affordably. Scalable and cost-effective.
• Moderated Research: Qualitative; great for exploring user motivations and testing prototypes in-depth. Offers rich, guided insights through real-time interaction.
• Unmoderated Research: Mixed Methods; perfect for usability testing at scale. Time-efficient and allows participants to engage in their natural environment.
• Video Interactions: Qualitative/Mixed; best for emotional and behavioral analysis. Provides visual, detailed insights by capturing verbal and non-verbal cues.

Finding the right user research method for your needs

Choosing the right research method comes down to your goals, the type of insights you need, and where you are in your product development journey. Each method has its strengths, and often, the best approach involves combining techniques to get a full picture of your users.

• Online surveys: Perfect for collecting large-scale feedback quickly and affordably. Whether you’re validating product features or measuring user satisfaction after launch, surveys provide the quantitative data you need to make confident decisions.
• Moderated research: Best for in-depth, exploratory insights. This method shines when testing early prototypes, refining workflows, or diving deep into user motivations. The real-time interaction allows for probing and adaptability to uncover richer details.
• Unmoderated research: Ideal for testing usability at scale. Participants can engage with your product in their natural environment, making it efficient and flexible. It’s especially useful for identifying friction points in navigation or functionality.
• Video interactions: Great for a mix of qualitative depth and flexibility. By capturing verbal and non-verbal cues, video methods help you analyze emotional responses and understand user behaviors, either live or asynchronously.

The best method—or combination of methods—depends on your goals. Whether you’re validating concepts, testing usability, or gathering behavioral insights, each technique plays a crucial role in delivering actionable results.

With platforms like CleverX, it’s easy to adapt these methods to fit your specific research needs. By streamlining participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis, CleverX empowers you to design better products and make informed, data-driven decisions.

How to get started with UX research?

So, you’ve learned about the importance of UX research and the various methods available. But how do you take this knowledge and put it into action? Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define clear objectives

Every successful research project begins with clarity. Start by asking:

• What problem are we trying to solve?
• What specific questions do we need answers to?
• What outcomes are we expecting from this research?

For example, if you’re testing a new feature, your goal might be to understand if it improves user retention. Clearly defined objectives will guide every other step of your research.

2. Choose the right research methods

Based on your objectives, pick the methods that will provide the most relevant insights:

• Use online surveys for broad feedback.
• Opt for moderated interviews to explore user motivations deeply.
• Leverage unmoderated testing for large-scale usability assessments.
• Select video interactions to capture emotional responses and non-verbal cues.

Don’t be afraid to combine methods to get a fuller picture.

3. Identify your target audience

Who are you designing for? Identify the right participants for your study:

• If you’re designing for existing users, target frequent customers.
• For new markets, find participants who match your ideal user persona.

Use participant screening tools (like CleverX’s AI Screener Builder) to ensure you’re working with the right audience.

4. Plan your research timeline

Create a timeline that outlines:

• Key milestones, such as participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
• Buffer time to address unexpected delays, such as participant cancellations or technical issues.

Being realistic with your timeline ensures the research stays on track without unnecessary stress.

5. Design your study materials

Prepare everything your participants will need:

• For surveys: Write clear, concise questions. Use a mix of open-ended and close-ended formats.
• For usability testing: Create prototypes, test scenarios, and specific tasks for participants to complete.
• For interviews: Develop a flexible discussion guide with key topics and follow-up questions.

6. Leverage tools to streamline the process

Save time and effort by using tools designed for UX research:

• Use CleverX to recruit participants, manage studies, and analyze results efficiently.
• Automate participant validation with AI-powered screeners.
• Simplify incentive management with tools like the Participant Incentive Calculator.

7. Collect and analyze data

Once your research is underway, focus on gathering high-quality data.

• Look for patterns, recurring themes, and unexpected insights.
• Use analytics dashboards and exportable reports to summarize findings for your team.

8. Share insights with your team

Present your findings in a way that inspires action:

• Create visual reports with key takeaways, supported by graphs or videos.
• Highlight specific user pain points and actionable recommendations.

9. Iterate and repeat

Research is an ongoing process. Use your findings to improve your product, then test again to validate the changes.

Conclusion

UX research is the key to understanding your users and building products that truly meet their needs. By choosing the right methods and asking the right questions, you can uncover valuable insights that guide better decisions and drive impactful results.

Start small, stay curious, and make research an ongoing part of your product development process—it’s the best way to create products your users will love.

Ready to act on your research goals?