FAQs
Why is user research so important?
It is important because it ensures digital products are shaped by real-world experiences, not assumptions. Without it, a website or app may appear compliant but still be frustrating or unusable for disabled users. Accessibility-focused user research and testing helps teams uncover hidden barriers, validate design decisions, and build empathy.
Which role is responsible for doing user research?
In many organisations, UX researchers lead user research, but they are not the only ones responsible. Designers, developers, content specialists, and product managers all contribute by planning, observing, and acting on findings. For user research accessibility projects, collaboration with inclusive design or accessibility specialists is particularly valuable.
How long does user research take?
The length of user research depends on the scope of the project. A small round of usability testing with five to eight participants can be completed in a week or two. Larger studies that use multiple user research techniques, such as interviews, surveys, and contextual inquiry, may take several weeks or months. The key is to build research in regularly throughout the design and development cycle.
What happens when you skip user research?
When user research is skipped, digital products often meet technical compliance but fail to meet real user needs. The result can be inaccessible features, frustrated users, higher support costs, and reputational damage. Skipping research also increases the likelihood of expensive redesigns later on, because usability issues are only discovered after launch.