Как делать research в продукте

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Зачем это знать

Analytics only — incomplete. «Users doing X» not «why doing X». Research fills gap.

Senior analyst incorporates qualitative insights. Middle often focused only numbers.

Types

1. User interviews

1-1 conversation. Open-ended questions.

Best для: understanding motivations, pain points.

Cost: high (time-intensive).

2. Surveys

Questions multiple users.

Best для: quantitative validation, widespread feedback.

Cost: medium.

3. Usability testing

User performs tasks с product. Observe.

Best для: UX issues, friction points.

4. Analytics

Behavioral data.

Best для: what users do, scale.

5. Session recordings

Watch real sessions.

Best для: qualitative + behavioral.

6. Beta / dogfooding

Early access. Feedback.

Best для: pre-launch validation.

7. Competitive research

Analyze competitors.

Когда что

Exploratory

«New product — what to build?»

Interviews + user observation.

Confirmatory

«Hypothesis X correct?»

Analytics + A/B test.

Usability

«Does new design work?»

Usability testing.

Scale validation

«Everyone like this?»

Survey.

Mix methods. Triangulate.

User interviews

Preparation

  • Target users recruit
  • Schedule 30-60 min
  • Prepare discussion guide (not script)
  • Record (с consent)

Discussion guide structure

  1. Warmup (background)
  2. Current behavior
  3. Problems / pain
  4. Hypothetical scenarios
  5. Wrap-up

Open questions

  • «Tell me about...»
  • «Walk me through...»
  • «Why is that important to you?»
  • «What did you try before?»

NOT leading:

  • «Don't you think X is great?» — bad
  • «What do you think of X?» — better

After

  • Notes / transcription
  • Patterns across interviews
  • Key quotes

Recruitment

  • Внутри existing users
  • Recruiting services (UserTesting)
  • Social media (for specific segments)

Compensation — gift card, credit.

Surveys

Design

  • Clear questions
  • Short (< 10 min)
  • Mix quantitative (Likert) + qualitative (open)
  • No leading

Example Likert

«How satisfied с app? 1 (very unsatisfied) - 5 (very satisfied)»

Sample size

  • Confidence: 95%, margin 5% → ~400 responses
  • Smaller — directional только

Tools

  • Google Forms (free)
  • Typeform (nicer)
  • SurveyMonkey (legacy but works)

Distribution

  • Email
  • In-app popup
  • User panels

Response rates

~5-20% typical. Boost:

  • Shorter
  • Incentive
  • Clear purpose

Usability testing

Moderated

Observer + user. Ask think-aloud.

Unmoderated

User performs tasks. Records self.

Tools

  • UserTesting
  • Maze
  • Lookback

Metrics

  • Task success rate
  • Time on task
  • Error rate
  • Subjective satisfaction

Analytics integration

Use analytics first to:

  • Form hypotheses
  • Identify problems
  • Segment users для interviews

Then research to:

  • Explain behavior
  • Inform решения
  • Validate проблемы

Both inform each other.

Synthesize findings

Affinity mapping

Group notes by theme. Visual.

Personas (careful)

Synthesized user types. Useful, но don't overly simplify.

Customer journey map

Visual journey с stages, feelings, pain points.

Insight statements

«Users want X because Y, but current experience fails at Z».

Actionable.

Communicate

Research report

  • Executive summary
  • Methodology
  • Key findings
  • Quotes
  • Recommendations

Share widely

Team-wide presentation. Video snippets impactful.

Action items

Connect insights к product changes.

Common mistakes

Talking too much

User должен speak 80%. You 20%.

Leading questions

«Don't you think...» — biased.

Asking for features

«What feature should we build?»

Better: «What problem trying solve?». They're poor designers.

Small sample decisions

«1 user mentioned — we must fix». Prioritize by frequency.

Survey + interview conflict

Data differs? Don't dismiss. Investigate.

Для analyst

Analyst owns research?

Sometimes. Often collaborates с Product Researcher (PR).

When no dedicated PR

Analyst может conduct basic research.

Invest в basics.

Training

  • «Interviewing Users» — Steve Portigal
  • «Talking to Humans» — Giff Constable
  • NN/g courses

Ethics

Consent

Explicit. Recording — ok?

Incentives

Reasonable. Not coercive.

PII

Handle carefully. Anonymize in reports.

Harm

Minimize — questions not distressing.

В Russia

Culturally:

Interviews

Russian users often blunt. Less polite filler.

Can be advantage — direct feedback.

Surveys

Response rates similar West.

Paid compensation

Common. Gift cards, wallet credit.

Mistakes analytics-only

«We know why»

Analytics shows behavior. Motivation — elsewhere.

Ignore user voice

Users do strange things. Sometimes data wrong, user correct.

One-way

Analytics tell you. Research — you tell them hypotheses, validate.

На собесе

«Research в role?»

Specific:

  • Type (interviews, surveys)
  • Recruited users
  • Sample size
  • Findings
  • Impact

Even informal research counts.

«When prefer research vs analytics?»

Qualitative — motivations. Quantitative — behaviors.

Both.

Связанные темы

FAQ

User interview — сколько?

5-8 reveal patterns. 20+ confidence.

Surveys online?

Common. Link email, in-app.

Research bought tools?

UserTesting, Maze paid. Google Forms / personal network free.


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