User Experience Tutorial Notes

One of the main reasons that I find Lynda.com so beneficial is that the viewer has the opportunity to simultaneously follow along with the transcript while the audio runs. I am a very analytical person. Thus, I love reading, and re-reading, until a statement becomes a truth by factual evidence. I had to replay some videos multiple times, so that I could entirely grasp a concept. Attached to this post are some of the notes I took to aid my learning. 

User Research Fundamentals

·      User Research- focusing the design to completely your customer's desires
- research is necessary so that you’re confidently pursuing the direction your client desires

·      User experience research can help you discover new & creative ways

·      Usability Testing- where you ask someone to test something, and you analyze the point at which he/ she gets troubled
- for instance, when I interviewed people and they analyzed 30 Day Fitness

·      Card Sorts- distinguishes hierarchy
TYPES
1. Open Card Sort- you ask someone to organize the information by what seems logical- no organized structure prior to this
2. Closed Card Sort- when you already have an organized structure, you ask someone to place information in the desired space

·      Click tracking/ Scroll tracking- technology that analyzes scrolling/clicking behavior by a user

·      Eye tracking- technology that analyzes scrolling/clicking behavior by a user

·      Multivariate testing- creating multiple versions of something and compare which one is the best

·      Quantitative research- not based on opinions
- card sorts, surveys, click tests, etc.

·      Qualitative research- cannot be expressed by numbers since it’s based from reactions
- focus groups, usability tests, interviews, etc.

·      Behavioral research- you observe the action someone takes

·      Attitudinal research- asking people about their opinions

·      Moderated research- direct connection with user during this research
- an interview

·      Unmoderated research- completed by a participant with no researcher present
- like filling out a survey

·      Waterfall Management Model- distinct stages of production with no overlap
- you have countless time to truly understand the user

·      Agile Management Model- rapid cycles with no distinct stages
- always testing with short time frames
- newer model
- constantly receiving new research

·      Strategize à design & develop à evaluate

·      In House Work- deep relationships
- diary studies
- high potential for bias
- potential political limits
- variety of methods for various results

·      Consultant work- external work
-less context
- less potential for bias
- limited access to customer base