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Become a user researcher
Learn the foundational skills you need to become a junior user researcher, whether you are looking to transition into the field or are just starting out in your career.
By the end of this course, you will be able to…
Explain your process
Confidently conduct research
Make an impact on teams
In this nine-module self-paced course, you will learn how to understand your customers through planning, conducting, and analyzing user research interviews and usability tests.
This course is for you if...
You want to start learning the foundations of user research but aren’t sure where to start
You have tried Googling how to research, but haven’t found clear, structured guidance on how to start running interviews
You feel disconnected from your users and want to start running user research at your organization
You want to start with a user research case study, but don’t have structure or guidance on how to tackle your first project
If you’re struggling with knowing where to start, what the “right way” to do research is, and how to help your team make successful products, you need structure and guidance. You need a course and community that gives you the tools you need and shows you how to make them work for you and your situation.
You need the Introduction to User Research Self-Paced Online Course.
What is the Introduction to User Research Self-Paced Online Course?
The Introduction to User Research Self-Paced Online Course is a nine-module online course for beginners or people new to user research. This course packages my experiences and learning from being a successful user researcher, and includes the lessons and insights I have gathered in the past 8 years in the user research field, working with a broad range of companies across many industries.
How it works:
As soon as you sign up for The Introduction to User Research Self-Paced Online Course, you will receive access to all nine-modules, including a workbook and additional resources and readings to continue to solidify your learning. In addition to the modules, I will host a one-hour bi-weekly Q&A for you to bring questions or talk through anything you are struggling with.
The workbook
During the course, you will be following along with a workbook that will give you the chance to create your own research project alongside the modules. This workbook will give you the tools necessary to create a research plan, get started with conducting research, and even begin to develop a case study by the end of the modules.
The topics
We will cover these major topics (see the modules below for more detailed information):
Understanding the definition and value of user research
Learning how to recruit the right participants
Conducting generative research interviews
Conducting usability testings
Synthesizing and analyzing user research
Exploring how to report and share user research
What makes this course special?
A community!
This course comes with the opportunity to join a shared community with peers just like you, so you can share your experiences and questions with others! As user researchers, it is essential we learn to brainstorm together, so this space will give you a chance to think through problems with your peers.
Bi-weekly Q&A
I will hold a one-hour bi-weekly Q&A where you can ask me all your questions and we can talk through any obstacles you are facing!
Guided workbook & templates
This course isn't all theory. We're talking about the reality of how user research can happen in your company - including topics such as buy-in, realistic recruitment, and reporting findings to your team. The workbook in this course will allow you to take a research project and turn it into a reality!
Investment
£165
In this course you get:
9 video modules (over ten hours of content) covering everything you need to feel confident about conducting end-to-end user research projects – see the curriculum here.
A 15-page workbook to help you implement everything you're learning and run your first research project.
Recommended articles, books, and examples (by me!) to go with each module, so you know where to go and how to deepen your knowledge.
5 templates (the same I use for my own research projects) so you can get started immediately – and feel like a pro while at it.
A bi-weekly live Q&A session over Zoom with me so you can get answers to your questions and never feel stuck.
If you can, I recommend asking for company budget, as I have seen many employers cover the cost for this course. Check out my guide to asking your manager for budget.
The Modules
MODULE 1: WHAT IS USER RESEARCH?
Understand how to define user research and what value it brings to an organization
Explore the different methodologies
Understand timelines for a research project
MODULE 2: BEFORE A PROJECT BEGINS
Understand how you will work with different teams
Learn about intake documents
Get tips on how to approach a user research project
MODULE 3: CREATING A RESEARCH PLAN
Learn what a user research plan is and why we write them
Learn how to turn a research request into research goals
Understand how to choose the right methodology for your project
MODULE 4: RECRUITMENT
Learn how to identify and write recruitment criteria
Create screener surveys based on recruitment criteria
Explore different recruitment tools and incentives
MODULE 5: GENERATIVE RESEARCH
Understand what generative research is and why we do it
Deep-dive into 1x1 interviews, including tips on how to interview
Learn how to write discussion guides
Learn how to notetake as a moderator and a notetaker
MODULE 6: EVALUATIVE RESEARCH
Understand what evaluative research is and why we do it
Learn how to conduct usability tests through writing tasks
Explore how to measure usability testing through metrics
MODULE 7: SYNTHESIS AND ANALYSIS
Understand what synthesis is and the different methods
Learn how to debrief with stakeholders and include them in sessions
Learn how to break down research sessions into meaningful data through affinity diagrams
MODULE 8: CREATING INSIGHTS & BRAINSTORMING
Understand what an insight is (and what it isn’t!)
Learn how to write an insight
Reframe findings into opportunity areas through How Might We Statements to help your team brainstorm what to build next
MODULE 9: DELIVERABLES & REPORTS
Learn about the different deliverables and how to choose the best one for your project
Deep-dive into the most common deliverables
Explore the different ways to structure a research report (in more creative ways!)
Learn tips on how to share research
FAQs
Will I be able to conduct research after this course?
Yes! In this course, you will learn the foundational skills to get you started with conducting basic 1x1 interviews and usability tests. Together, we will build the foundation for you to understand how to properly ask questions and conduct interviews. By the end of the course, you will confidently be able to explain and execute the end-to-end user research process, conduct 1x1 interviews and usability testing, make sense of and share your research findings with team members in an actionable way.
Is this course only for user researchers or people looking to become user researchers? I am a UX designer, product manager, developer, or in a different field!
This course is made for anyone who is interested in either becoming a user researcher or conducting user research at an organization. This course will help you learn the most foundational skills for user research, even without prior knowledge about user research. I have had students from many different industries and roles, such as market researchers, anthropologists, engineers, product managers, artists, business developers, financial advisors, and journalists, find value in this course.
What if we’ve never done user research at our company?
This course is the perfect starting point for you to start conducting user research and setting up a research practice at your company! We will discuss all the basics and foundations you need to start doing user research so you can incorporate it into your organization. Don’t worry - user research can work around the processes and ceremonies already present at your company!
How long will I have access to the content I receive from the course?
Great news! You will have access to the modules, templates, and all other content forever! As long as the course exists, you will be able to access the material!
Will I get direct access to you during the course?
Yes! I'll be holding a 60-minute live Q&A every other week, where you'll be able to ask me questions and get support. The course content itself is delivered through pre-recorded videos you can watch at your own pace – and I'll be there over the live Q&As to make sure you never feel stuck.
Do you offer any discounts or financial aid?
I don’t offer any regular discounts. I recommend that you ask your employer to sponsor the course for you. I have seen many employers pay the full price or pay part of it because they realize how valuable the skills are. If you are interested in asking your company to sponsor the course, check out this guide I made to getting buy-in from your employer!
Will I receive a certificate?
No. Since this is an online self-paced course, I am not able to assess your skills to a point that I feel comfortable giving a certificate away.
Do you have special pricing for teams to take the course?
If more than three people from one company want to enroll in the Introduction to User Research course, please contact me at hello@userresearchacademy.com for special prices. If more than eight people want to enroll in the course, I would recommend speaking about a company-based workshop that would be more focused on your specific struggles or questions.
I have a question that isn’t answered here!
Feel free to contact us at hello@userresearchacademy for any questions that are not listed here!
Meet your instructor
Hi, I’m Nikki (and that’s Poncho)! When I started my career in user research, I had no idea where to start. I spent countless hours on Google searching for how to properly conduct an interview and how to create a persona. Spoiler alert: my interviews were so awkward and my personas looked horrendous. In fact, I completely bombed my first generative research interview.
After years of trial and error, I eventually figured things out. I've been a user researcher for about eight years, leading projects within the B2B and also the B2C space, ranging in industries such as social media, e-commerce, hospitality, and academia. I have done both freelance and in-house user research for companies such as Zalando, N26, Wiley Publishing, and HelloFresh. In addition to being an operational user researcher, I have managed and currently manage four direct reports. I'm also a contributing author at DScout where I write all about my experiences with user research. I hold a MA in Psychology and Education.
