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How to Become a UX Researcher — No Experience Needed

If you have a knack for understanding people and figuring out what makes them tick, a career in user experience (UX) research might just be the right fit for you. In this article, we’ll show you how to become a UX researcher and give you a few insights into what career training opportunities and job prospects are available in the field. 

7 Qualifications and Skills Needed to Become a UX Researcher:

• UX/Design Thinking
• User-Centered Design Research
• Persona Creation
• User Testing
• Soft Skills

Interested in not only learning these skills, but also putting them into practice? Berkeley UX/UI Boot Camp offers the hands-on experience you need to take the next step in your career. 

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Why UX Researchers Are in High Demand

UX researchers give businesses, designers and developers valuable insights into user behaviors and psychology; these detective-techies tease apart the rationales that drive people to think, feel and act in specific ways when encountering a website or an app or even a piece of software. It’s an exciting gig for the right person — so if you think you might be a good fit, keep reading.

User experience research has become crucial to running a successful modern business. As designer Jacob Gube explains in an article for Smashing Magazine , “Websites and Web applications have become progressively more complex as our industry’s technologies and methodologies advance […] but regardless of how much has changed in the production process, a website’s success still hinges on just one thing: how users perceive it.”

UX describes how people feel when they interact with a system or service and encompasses several factors including usability, design, marketing, accessibility, performance, comfort and utility. A person’s experience when they visit a website can dramatically impact and even change their perception of a company or a service — for better, and for worse. 

Think of a banking website. Consumers expect their virtual financial experiences to be crisp, intuitive and as formal as any in-person interactions would be at a physical branch. How odd and off-putting would it be to expect that level of professionalism and instead find the casual  quirkiness of a gaming website? What works for one audience and intent certainly won’t work for all!

As UX guru Don Norman once shared in an interview , “Everything has a personality; everything sends an emotional signal. Even where this was not the intention of the designer, the people who view the website infer personalities and experience emotions. Bad websites have horrible personalities and instill horrid emotional states in their users, usually unwittingly. We need to design things — products, websites, services — to convey whatever personality and emotions are desired.” 

This isn’t just theory; it’s backed up by facts. When companies invest in UX research and design, they tend to see higher levels of customer acquisition and retention as well as reduced support costs because their products and services are more intuitive and easy to use. These companies also tend to enjoy a higher share of the market for their industry. In 2018, researchers for McKinsey’s report on the business case for good design found that companies that scored in the top quartiles of the research firm’s Design Index outperformed industry benchmarks by two-to-one. As the report’s authors write, “Top-quartile MDI scorers increased their revenues and total returns to shareholders (TRS) substantially faster than their industry counterparts did over a five-year period — 32 percentage points higher revenue growth and 56 percentage points higher TRS growth for the period as a whole.”

Let’s talk about how you can become a UX researcher and kickstart your career in this high-potential field. 

What Do UX Researchers Do?

It’s a no-brainer: all businesses want to appeal to their customers. Their survival depends on doing so — and given this, companies have long tried to craft an experience that their customers find pleasant. With the meteoric rise of e-commerce and consumers’ increasing interest in living more of their lives online, UX research has become a specialized profession in its own right. In 2017, a research initiative that sought to investigate the business benefits of user research found that 49 percent of surveyed executives believed that UX research made their company more efficient, while 56 percent believed that it improved the quality of their products or services. 

These benefits are the result of UX researchers’ work to gather insights and information about what customers need, what they prefer and how they react. UX researchers use both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine and improve the user experience. These research methods encompass everything from simple online surveys to full-scale prototype designs. 

For example, UX researchers might use observation to determine user behaviors and feelings or understand consumers’ mental models (i.e., what they believe about the website or software). They might send out impersonal surveys to user groups, run face-to-face interviews with users of a site or product or carry out hands-on usability tests to assess customer preferences. Then, after the information-gathering phase is complete, UX researchers can analyze the collected data to identify patterns and trends that will then guide design and development decisions for digital products, software or websites. 

Qualifications and Skills Needed to Become a UX Researcher (That Employers Look For)

If you want to know how to become a user experience researcher, there are certain skills, qualifications and experience levels that are essential to this field. While clients, products and research goals vary widely across roles, all UX professionals need to master the fundamentals. Below, we’ve listed a few of the most important qualifications and skills to develop when considering how to become a user experience researcher.

1. UX/Design Thinking

Design thinking might have been developed in 1969, but it hasn’t faded with the times. If anything, our growing reliance on digital experiences has made the organizational framework more critical. A design thinking approach helps designers handle complex problems and keep the user in mind at all times. It forces a UX researcher to step into their target users’ metaphorical shoes and, in doing so, empowers them to predict, define and solve the issues users may face. UX research skills are a significant part of design thinking and are invaluable in analyzing user response throughout the process.

2. User-Centered Design Research

User-centered design aims to put a product’s end user at the center of all design plans. Rather than attempting to cast a wide net, this design philosophy homes in on a target user and allows developers to create a project with that ideal user’s needs, goals and preferences in mind. 

UX research is, as you might expect, a crucial part of this process. Without it, this type of design becomes mostly guesswork. Eventually, it devolves into an exploration of what the project’s developers think they would want as users — a dangerous shift, given that what appeals to the site developers might not align with the target user’s needs and preferences. The application of UX research skills is thus essential to the success of user-centered design plans. 

3. Persona Creation

Basic descriptions are all well and good, but when a researcher needs to define an ideal user, understanding how to apply their UX research skills to develop and use a persona is critical. A persona describes an imagined ideal or typical user of a website or product and empowers UX researchers to make sense of the information gathered through user research. A persona reflects the needs and wants of broad user groups by collating the attitudes, skills, technical background, patterns and environment of typical users. UX researchers for a banking app, for example, might build a persona that incorporates their customers’ likely financial knowledge or probable tech-savviness. A UX researcher may even opt to include direct user information, such as specific quotes obtained through user research, into their persona.

Keeping that persona in mind, UX researchers and developers can build empathy with their users and better understand their expectations and needs. Personas allow researchers to go beyond vague imaginations of what users might and might not like and narrow in on a user’s actual experience. When applied, these personas respond to the specific context of a site or piece of software, reflecting the real users of that product and giving designers more accurate insights into what does and doesn’t work well. 

4. UX Mapping

What does a user do, and when? If a UX designer doesn’t have a clear understanding of how consumers progress through a given app or website, they won’t know how to optimize the user’s journey. Mapping is a critical skill for UX researchers, as it allows them to use their collected observations to create an annotated timeline of a user’s journey. A UX map provides an expansive overview of user touchpoints. It demonstrates how decisions made at these touchpoints can create diverging decision “branches” and lead to positive or — depending on the “branch” — negative experiences. Having a visual representation of the highs and lows of a user’s journey can help UX professionals identify and address the touchpoints and decisions that spark poor experiences. 

5. User Testing

Every UX researcher needs to know how to conduct usability testing . While it can be tempting for companies to avoid spending the time — and the money — that proper user testing requires, investing in the process can help project developers avoid severe pitfalls and tailor the end product to user preferences. 

Put simply, user testing tells developers whether they’ve hit or missed the mark. The testing process gauges whether users can successfully navigate the site or app, complete essential tasks and receive the information they need. It flags common user errors and notes any features that, while intuitive for developers, routinely mystify end users. As a UX researcher, you might even test competitor products alongside your own to find out how users’ experiences differ between the two. When initiated early during the development process and repeated regularly, this type of UX research can help designers and developers produce a successful, user-intuitive product.

6. InVision

As in any specialized field, aspiring UX professionals must know the tools of their trade. Of particular note, the popular prototyping, workflow and collaboration app called InVision is a must-know skill for UX researchers . Imagine being able to create a prototype of your incomplete app, and having the ability to conduct user tests as if your users were working with the real, fully functioning website or app. The prototypes allow instant feedback, commenting and other specialized features that feed into an overall UX analysis. This interactive platform enables researchers to test the interactive parts of a site, rather than relying on screenshots, images or PDFs that do not fully replicate the final experience. InVision isn’t just a collaboration tool; it also provides fully featured design software and integrates with other popular products in Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite.

7. Soft Skills

Software skills and research aptitude will only ever get you so far in the job market. Soft skills — those concerned with being a good team member and professional — are just as vital as any niche technical capability. Given that learning from and listening to users is at the heart of UX, developing your empathy and ability to communicate is a must. If you can’t communicate well or maintain an open mind, you’ll never manage to see beyond your own opinions and identify what matters to your user. As odd as it might sound, learning how to be an empathetic, thoughtful and perceptive person may serve you better as a UX researcher than any technical guide. 

How to Acquire the Skills to Become a UX Researcher

When it comes to education, aspiring UX researchers have options. You don’t need to have years of experience in tech. Those in the social sciences, for example, are well-suited to UX research because the core competencies in both sectors overlap — though they often need to step up their working pace and alter their research methods to suit the tech sector’s fast pace. Similarly, professionals in marketing and communications fields often already have the user response and interaction training necessary to segue into UX research. 

As researcher Nikki Anderson shared in an article for UX Collective , “One of the number one questions I get every week are people asking me how to break into the field of user research from another role or right after graduating. I speak with people from all different disciplines, some closer to user research, such as marketing, psychology or design, and others further away, such as accountants or writers […] Getting into user research was one of the least straight-forward paths I have taken, and that is often the case for most people breaking into this field.”

Regardless of whether you’re just starting out or want to change your professional path, expanding your knowledge and skill set is essential to kickstarting a new career in UX research. Let’s dive into a few options that may help you gain the knowledge and experience you need to become a UX researcher. Ultimately it’s up to you to decide which ones works best for you.

While career interest in UX has grown, there are still relatively few undergraduate degree programs explicitly dedicated to UX research. There are master’s programs for the profession — but even those rarely require any background training in the discipline . That said, if you want to become a UX researcher and are planning on enrolling in a four-year undergraduate program, there are a few majors that will prepare you for the field. These include standby options from computer science and information systems to design, psychology and even anthropology. 

Of course, this is a better option for people who have never received a four-year degree or who have the time and money to go back to school full-time. People who have already graduated and want to stay in the workforce may look for other, faster options to explore this exciting career path.

UX/UI Boot Camps

Boot camps are another option that can help you complete a successful career transition into UX research. These short programs are designed to provide an intensive educational experience and quick entry into tech hiring pools. They are well-suited to learners who have either already left university or don’t have the time to enroll in a four-year degree program. Because boot camps offer a variety of full-time, part-time and online options, they tend to also be more flexible for those who need to juggle working or family responsibilities during their academic journey. Such programs have seen a meteoric rise over the last several years; between 2018 and 2019 alone, Course Report found that boot camps grew an incredible 49 percent.  

While boot camps are most often associated with coding or software development, there are also specific programs for those interested in UX research. Explore your options to see if an intensive UX/UI boot camp could suit your situation and career interests. 

Self-Guided Resources

Who says that learning has to happen in person? If you’re ambitious and self-directed, you may want to use self-guided resources to structure your foray into UX research. An abundance of learning opportunities is available online, from tutorials and discussion forums to virtual courses . These offer price-conscious or time-constrained learners a chance to take their education into their own hands — and even once you enter your career, these sites can be an essential part of lifelong learning and job advancement.

Keep in mind, however, that free online self-guided resources often lack the support and structure that degree programs or boot camps provide. Do your research before you commit to an educational path.

How to Get Hired

Once you gain the education and skills you need, it’ll be time to look for a job in the UX field. Your boot camp or university may have a career assistance office that can help you land internships and interviews with leading technology companies, which can, in turn, evolve into valuable full-time career opportunities.

Do your research; make sure to check out job boards, especially the specialized ones provided by your boot camp or university career center. Networking, attending conferences and actively participating in the UX research community can all put you in good stead to find a great job. When you get the interview you want, prepare in advance to make the best impression possible, and show off your ability to communicate and listen effectively.

User experience research is a rapidly growing profession at the heart of today’s tech industry. With tremendous upward potential and opportunities for people with a wide range of skills and backgrounds, UX research can be an exciting and rewarding career. Will online learning, a  UX/UI boot camp or a university degree be the right option for you? Explore your training options and forge a path that will allow you to become a UX researcher according to your own timeline and educational preferences.

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How to Become a User Researcher

User researchers work with companies to make suitable product designs based on their studies of the potential pain points and needs of their target users. These experts benefit from high starting salaries and strong job growth projections.  

If you are hoping to enter this field, this guide covers everything you need to know about how to become a user researcher. You will learn more about the job requirements, salary expectations, job growth statistics, and other important information.  

What Is a User Researcher?

User researchers are important assets businesses use to develop a product design that satisfies the needs of their real users. Working on both physical and digital products, these researchers are responsible for identifying who the users are and what they need. They do this by systematically studying the target users, collecting and analyzing data to help inform the design process. 

User Researcher Job Description

One of the most important tasks in a user researcher position is to define and drive the future of products. They work with different teams to reveal the needs of users by conducting research and performing usability studies. 

Their responsibilities may also include delivering presentations, coming up with bold new ideas, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative data. They also help the UX team to understand what will make the user experience seamless and more intuitive. 

User Researcher vs UX Researcher: What’s the Difference?

The roles of a user researcher and a user experience (UX) researcher don’t just sound similar; they are also very closely related. So much so in fact that they can be very difficult to distinguish. Some even venture to claim they are the same role. However, most experts on the matter would agree that there are some differences.

These roles will vary depending on the organization, which makes the distinction even less clear-cut. Generally speaking, however, we can say that UX research is a sub-field of user research. Another difference people commonly agree upon is that while user research is more about talking to people about their behavior using a product, UX deals more with learning about users’ experiences with a particular product.

The work of a user researcher informs the work of a UX researcher and vice versa. Both roles are critical which means that these professionals need to cooperate to come up with insights that result in the best possible product for the consumer. If you want to learn how to become a UX researcher, check out this article . 

User Researcher Salary and Job Outlook

User researchers earn well over the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, user researchers earn a median salary of $65,810 per year in 2020. This figure generally increases as the professionals gain experience.  

The job outlook is also quite impressive as employment is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2019 to 2029. This growth is driven by the increasing reliance on market research and data across several industries.

Top Reasons to Become a User Researcher in 2021

There are a lot of reasons to become a user experience researcher aside from the relatively high salary. The field also allows you to build highly transferable skills that can lead to opportunities in a wide range of career paths. Since these professionals deal with data, they have an easy time transitioning into other data-related fields. Read below for more reasons to become a user researcher. 

• Create relevant designs. As a user researcher, you have the ability to make use of your creativity to create designs that better meet user needs. 
• Shape the future. In this job, you’ll play a small part in shaping the future as your research informs the designs of new products.
• Help companies maximize profit. These experienced researchers play an important role in helping companies retain their existing customers while attracting new ones. 
• Job growth.  The job growth for this field is 18 percent, which shows that you will have plenty of job opportunities now and in the years to come.

User Researcher Job Requirements

Due to the vast array of tech companies and their differing needs, the job requirements for user experience researchers will often vary widely. However, most user researcher positions share some basic requirements regardless of the specific job title. 

• Relevant experience. In most cases, employers prefer candidates that have considerable experience in this or a similar field.
• Bachelor's degree. Employers may also require a Bachelor's Degree in Human Behavior or another relevant field. 
• Research skills.  The candidate is also expected to know how to perform research-related tasks and use findings to create the best possible products.  
• Knowledge of computer science. Potential employers may also require some knowledge of computer science since candidates will work with data and databases.

Types of User Researcher Careers

The field of user research is very broad and can lead to many different careers. User research covers different specialist roles with unique requirements. When you've gained the necessary training and skills, you can work in any of the following user research roles.

Usability Analyst

These experts are also called UX analysts and they focus on one specific aspect of the user experience, usability. People in this career path deal with how user-friendly the product is and how memorable, efficient, and easy it is to navigate.

The UX writer role combines aspects of copywriting, user experience design, and branding. Users often rely on written copy to guide them while navigating digital services and products. UX writers craft these documents to ensure that users get the best experience. 

Information Architect

Information architects are digital librarians. They structure content on apps and websites to make the information more accessible and organized. This significantly improves the user experience.

User Researcher Meaning: What Does a User Researcher Do?

The roles that UX researchers fill may vary depending on the organization they work for. However, no matter what field you are in, some tasks are commonplace for anyone who holds a user research job. These tasks include the following. 

Data Collection

User researchers conduct user testing to collect data. They analyze this information to inform the design of future products. These professionals moderate usability sessions, conduct client and stakeholder interviews, and develop quantitative surveys. 

Research Planning and Recruitment

User researchers develop well-crafted plans that serve their research objectives. These experts also recruit endusers and target them for specific studies. Likewise, they write usability research and discussion guides. Common UX research methods include user interviews and usability testing.

Presentation of Findings

These experts present insights to the development and design teams. To come up with these insights, they need a deep understanding of the business’ needs and the ability to design effective research studies.

Essential User Researcher Skills

Throughout their careers, user researchers develop a long list of soft skills that help them perform their jobs. Below are some of the main core skills required to become a successful user researcher. 

Communication Skills

The job involves working with other members of the design team so strong communication skills are necessary to ensure everyone is on the same page. These experts also frequently have to touch base with research participants.

Critical Thinking

These experts also need to think critically to create new designs that solve problems for their users. User researchers should be able to exercise their intuition to recognize patterns during their research. 

Collaboration

This is a critical skill because user researchers work with designers, developers, stakeholders, and product managers. They need strong teamwork skills to bring the needs and ideas of all these people together to design the best possible products. 

How Long Does It Take to Become a User Researcher?

It may take four years plus to become a user researcher if you want to start your career by earning a bachelor’s degree. You may also be required to have some experience in the field before qualifying for some higher-level roles.  

However, there are alternative educational pathways that allow you to enter the job market in less time. People who attend coding bootcamps can be ready for the workforce within a few weeks or months. These programs are intensive and cover the essential skills needed to thrive in the field. 

Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Become a User Researcher?

Coding bootcamps can help you to become a user researcher. The short programs provide an immersive educational experience and equip you with the skills needed to enter tech fields. The best bootcamp programs consist of practical training to give you experience and help you build a portfolio. 

Since bootcamps have online, part-time, and full-time programs, they are more flexible than universities. Some bootcamps have programs, such as UX design, that teach the fundamentals needed to thrive in the field. Coding bootcamps are ideal for students who are already working professionals and don’t have time to attend a degree program.

Can I Become a User Researcher from Home?

There are a lot of learning opportunities to help you become a user researcher from home. You can either join a coding bootcamp that offers remote training or enroll in online courses that offer time-constrained learners an opportunity to pursue a new career. In no time, you will be qualified for entry-level positions.

How to Become a User Researcher: A Step-by-Step Guide

There is no singular path to become a user researcher, as the steps will vary for each person depending on their user research experience and career goals. For example, you can choose to get a degree in a university or community college, attend a coding bootcamp, or learn online. This guide will cover how to become a user researcher with a degree.

Step 1: Degree in Technology 

Most user researcher positions require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. However, this degree doesn’t have to be in UX. Any degree in technology, social sciences, or behavioral sciences would do. 

Step 2: Gain UX Research Experience

After getting a degree, the next step will be to acquire invaluable experience in the field of UX research. You can do this by searching job postings for entry-level user researcher jobs, or you can consider an internship to get hands-on experience. 

Step 3: Build Your portfolio

Once you have experience, you need to continue to build your portfolio. If possible, volunteer or take classes. You can even consider freelancing. There are a lot of websites that give prospective employers easy access to your portfolio, such as GitHub and LinkedIn. 

Best Schools and Education for a User Researcher Career

There are many educational pathways you can take to acquire the training you need to become a user researcher. Your options include coding bootcamps, universities, and community colleges. 

User Research Bootcamps

These short, immersive programs can teach you the required skills to enter the workforce in this field. In tech bootcamps, students learn in-demand skills such as Agile practices and user-centered approaches. They are ideal because they take less time, are more affordable, and offer flexible schedules for working professionals. 

Vocational School

Vocational schools prepare people to work as technicians, artisans, or tradespersons. They are also called trade schools. These programs are different from university education as they focus more on practical learning. You cannot become a user researcher by attending a vocational school. This type of institution does not typically offer the training needed to break into the field.

Community College

Community colleges offer training for students who want to pursue a career in user research. The programs take around two years to complete, and students can study computer science, human-computer interaction, statistics, psychology, design, information systems, or anthropology. Some colleges offer online degrees as well.

These courses give students the necessary background to take on user researcher and similar roles. Sometimes, they offer internship opportunities to help you get on-the-job experience. The credits you earn at community colleges are also transferable if you want to go on to earn a more advanced degree.

User Research Degrees

Universities offer degrees in user research-related fields. However, a degree in social science, cognitive science, behavioral sciences, or technology can be enough to prepare you for the field. The programs often last four years with an option to pursue graduate studies. 

Some universities even offer remote training, and working professionals can also benefit from part-time schedules. In most cases, these programs end with students completing a capstone project. 

The Most Important User Researcher Certificates

To open up higher-level user researcher job opportunities, or to become a senior researcher, you may want to consider gaining a certification. While certification is not essential, it is recommended because it enhances your resume and shows that you have the skills hiring managers are looking for. Here are some of the most important user researcher certificates to consider.

Certified Usability Analyst 

The Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) certification from HFI, a leading user-centered firm, is an excellent program for candidates who are new in the user research field. Those who want to move to UX, or demonstrate their mastery of the principles of UX to an organization, can also get the certification. 

Certified User Experience Analyst 

The Certified User Experience Analyst (CXA) certification is for people with a UX design foundation who want to enroll in advanced-level courses. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have the CUA certification.

UX Master Certification

The UX Master Certification is for practitioners who want to showcase their achievements in user research and differentiate themselves from the competition. Before taking the exam, you will have to complete 15 of the training courses offered by the certification provider, Nielsen Norman Group.

How to Prepare for Your User Researcher Job Interview

The user research interview process can be technical in nature, so you will want to ensure you are well prepared and have a solid foundation in the necessary technical skills. However, you can expect behavioral questions as well. Here are some sample questions you can practice to ace your user research interview .

User Researcher Job Interview Practice Questions

• How can you determine a user’s attitude about a feature or design?
• What is your impression of this product? (the interviewer may show you a product during the interview and ask for your opinion)
• What is your impression of this particular feature?
• Where do you think a person will use such a feature or product?
• If you could change anything about this design, what would you do?

Should I Become a User Researcher in 2021?

A career in user research is people-focused and analytical and offers a good average salary. This means that it is an excellent career if you love to study people and find out what they prefer and why. If you are a creative individual who has a flair for handling data and creating strategic insights, then a career as a user researcher might be right for you.

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What is a UX Researcher? The Ultimate Guide for 2024

The role of the user experience (UX) researcher is becoming more prominent, more specialized, and more in demand.

Uncovering user behaviors, needs, and motivations in order to design products and services that provide value is the crux of user experience research. When performed correctly, these methods have a huge impact on business.

So what is a UX researcher?

In this guide, we’ll take a look at what a UX researcher does and the UX research career path.

Although there is no singular path, there are four main steps to move a UX researcher forward: expanding knowledge of the user research field ; obtaining foundational skills ; crafting a portfolio; and building a network of industry peers.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is a user experience researcher?
• What does a user experience researcher do?
• What skills are required for a career in UX research?
• How to expand your knowledge of the UX research industry
• How to obtain the necessary foundational skills
• How to craft a convincing portfolio
• How to build a solid network of industry peers
• Final thoughts

1. What is a user experience researcher?

A user experience researcher has their hand on the pulse of user needs and goals. They are the empathetic, organized, critical thinker whose day-to-day is about the first stage of the design thinking process : empathize .

This isn’t to say that UX researchers’ work is totally separate from the rest of the process, but their work has arguably the most humanizing effect on the process. Here’s why— UX researchers know how to:

• Understand the problem or challenge at hand
• Apply a variety of methods and approaches to finding out how their users tick in the context of this problem or challenge
• Listen, observe, and ask the right kinds of questions to gather insights that can be turned into actionable ideas
• Synthesize their findings and communicate them to the rest of the team and to key stakeholders in clear, actionable, and even engaging ways

2. What does a user experience researcher do?

The purpose of the UX researcher (also referred to as “user researcher” or “design researcher”) is to unearth human insights in order to guide the application of design.

According to a recent job posting by IBM, as a design researcher, you will “help provide actionable and meaningful data-driven insights that represent the voice of multiple users. You will collaborate across development, design, and marketing teams to evaluate current and upcoming user research needs that help to improve product definition and drive business goals.”

Some typical tasks and responsibilities of the UX researcher include:

Research Planning and Recruitment

• Develop a well-crafted research plan with clear research objectives.
• Write usability research screeners and discussion guides.
• Recruit targeted end-users for specific research studies.

Data Collection

• Moderate one-on-one basic usability sessions.
• Help develop and implement quantitative surveys.
• Conduct stakeholder and client interviews .

Data Analysis

• Extract insights about user behaviors from web instrumentation tools.
• Translate user insights into actionable recommendations for the product team.

Presentation of Insights

• Craft personas and other “information radiators” (e.g. journey maps) to communicate insights across the design and development teams.
• Present design research findings to the larger team in a clear and organized fashion.
• Work closely with the product team to identify research objectives.
• Establish and implement an overall research strategy.

These are just a handful of tasks that belong to UX research. Ultimately, your job as a UX researcher is to build up a picture of your target users based on their needs, wants, motivations, and pain points. These insights enable the wider design team to create user-friendly products based on real user feedback—not just your assumptions.

As with most UX design roles, the UX researcher means different things to different companies.

To learn more about what might be expected of you as a UX researcher, browse various job sites and see how different companies advertise and describe the role. Here are some useful job portals to help you get started:

• UX Jobs Board
• Just UX Jobs
• User Experience Professionals Association
• AIGA Design Jobs

3. What skills are required for a career in UX research?

Now we’re familiar with some of the key tasks and responsibilities, let’s consider what skills are required for a career in UX research.

As such, being a UX researcher typically requires knowledge or experience in a relevant field that studies human behavior, such as cognitive science, behavioral economics, anthropology, sociology, or psychology. Ultimately, it’s important to be adept at reading people and empathizing with the user, and equally at home handling data and analytics.

Ideal candidates are typically “passionate, curious, and self-driven team players” who have experience working in fast-paced environments while applying both generative and evaluative research methods to build a larger understanding of users.

It’s also important to have a solid understanding of the design thinking process, as well as a passion and know-how for influencing design strategy.

Obtaining these skills can be done through identifying research opportunities with a current employer, volunteering for a design project with an external organization (e.g. VolunteerMatch), or completing research for a personal project of your own.

Overall, practice makes perfect, and refining these skills as often as you can prepare you for your future role. You can even get a design thinking certification by taking a course or program in the discipline, to show potential employers and clients that you truly know your stuff.

4. How to expand your user research knowledge

As already mentioned, there are four key steps to forging a career in UX research:

• Expand your user research knowledge.
• Obtain the foundational skills.
• Craft a portfolio of experience.
• Build a network of peers.

Let’s start with that first step: Expanding your knowledge of the UX research field. In addition to browsing job descriptions, there are plenty of things you can do to learn more about the industry — but where to begin?

Start with the basics and learn all about UX design in this comprehensive guide , and understand the critical role UX research plays in UX design in this article.

From there, learn about the difference between qualitative , quantitative , attitudinal, and behavioral research. Next, you can familiarize yourself with some common UX research methods, such as card sorting, usability testing, and user interviews.

You’ll find an introduction to some of the most important UX research methods on the CareerFoundry YouTube channel (and be sure to take a look at these free UX research tutorials ).

Be sure to watch the video below, in which CareerFoundry graduate and professional UX designer Maureen Herben explains the different techniques and tools used in qualitative user research:

As part of your own research into the UX research field, you’ll also want to consider things such as salary and career options. Sites like Glassdoor and Payscale provide up-to-date salary reports for a range of different locations.

If you can, reach out to people who are already donning the UX researcher job title. Do they tend to work remote or in-house? What kinds of companies employ UX researchers? Again, job sites can help you out here if you don’t have any contacts in the industry (yet!).

Before you commit to the UX researcher route, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the industry and what the role entails.

5. How to obtain the foundational skills necessary for a career as a UX researcher

If you’re keen to forge a career in UX research, you’ll need to start learning some of the key skills. As with any profession, it’s important to build a solid foundation of knowledge before jumping into real-world problem-solving.

Assuming that you already have some knowledge in a related area (cognitive science, sociology, psychology, etc.), there are plenty of ways to learn the fundamentals of user research. Let’s consider those now.

• Human-Computer Interaction: An Empirical Perspective : learn about the foundational topics about one of the precursors to UX design. As well as being a neat introduction to HCI , this book includes historical context, the human factor, interaction elements, and the fundamentals of science and research.
• User Research: A Practical Guide to Designing Better Products and Services : learn about all the key research methods including face-to-face user testing, card sorting, surveys, and A/B testing.

Online resources

Industry blogs are a great way to start learning the ins and outs of the field. Some useful (and trustworthy!) sources include:

• Nielsen Norman Group
• UX Collective
• Inside Design

Conferences and meetups

If possible, consider attending a UX research conference or a local meetup. You’ll find a list of the top UX research conferences to attend in 2019 here , and can search for local UX research groups on meetup.com .

In addition to the examples above, finding an apprenticeship or a more senior researcher who is willing to let you shadow their process is a great way to immerse yourself in the context of a UX researcher while learning “on the job.”

6. How to craft a convincing UX research portfolio

As with any design role, a compelling portfolio is key to proving you’ve got the right skills for the job. So how do you go about creating a convincing UX research portfolio ?

As you practice refining your skills, keep a record of your work to present to future employers. Crafting an online portfolio is a great supplement to a resume or CV when highlighting case studies that show hiring managers what you can do. According to Senior UX Recruiter Tom Cotterill:

“Your portfolio should show cultural suitability for the company where you are applying. Don’t be afraid to add a touch of character or your own style to your portfolio. It’s your chance to wow the hiring manager and demonstrate that you stand out from the crowd. A good portfolio indicates, in short, that this person has taken time to represent themselves in the best possible light, and they’re clued up enough to showcase their most relevant work in an aesthetic and logical way.”

Ultimately, your portfolio should include the following sections:

• The problem or design challenge your research aimed to solve.
• The team you collaborated with.
• The research process (how did you go about solving the problem?).
• The tools you used to recruit, collect and analyze data, and present insights.
• The final outcome and the handoff of the design for development .

For more insight on how to refine a great UX research portfolio, check out How to Wow Me With Your UX Research Portfolio and How to Create a Powerful Case Study for Your UX Portfolio . Another great resource for inspiration is  Bestfolios , the largest curation of best UX research and designer portfolios, resumes, case studies , and design resources.

7. How to build a network within the UX research industry

You’re in the process of mastering the right skills and crafting your portfolio. Now it’s time to network! Networking is one of the best ways to meet people in the UX field and potentially land a new job.

Let’s consider some of the best opportunities for making industry connections.

Current Co-Workers

If you are currently employed, look to see if there are any user experience researchers in your organization, and ask them what it’s like! Also request to shadow them during a research session and take notes.

Future Employers

Informational interviews are also a great way to get candid feedback with people working at great companies, such as IBM, Google, or Amazon. Using LinkedIn or Twitter to find and invite UX researchers for coffee is a solid way to get an idea of what it may be like to work for your company of interest, and also how to get in the door.

Online UX Communities

Actively participate in online UX communities (e.g. Facebook groups) relevant to your professional interests and learning goals. Here are a few to start with:

• Useful Usability
• The UX School

UX Research Organizations

Lastly, join 1-2 user experience research organizations, such as the User Experience Research Professionals Association or the Design Research Society to see if there are any upcoming events you can attend.

8. Final thoughts

UX is a growing field, and the role of the user experience researcher is becoming more and more pivotal. Equipping yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge, and learning to conduct UX research like a professional , while surrounding yourself with peers in the field who you can learn from are essential to becoming a UX researcher yourself.

Overall, the value of understanding the needs of the customer cannot be ignored, and user experience researchers will have an increasingly valuable role to play in the future of design.

If you’d like to learn more about UX research, check out the following guides:

• What is the UX research salary?
• A 5-Point Roadmap For Any UX Research Project
• How to conduct a UX audit
• Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your UX Research Portfolio
• Interview Toolkit: Top 5 UX Research Questions to Prepare For

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UX Researcher

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What Is a UX Researcher? How to Become One, Salary, Skills.

UX researchers are responsible for studying and understanding what users of a system or product need and want. UX researchers use their findings to improve the design of goods, software and services. Here’s what to know about a UX researcher’s salary, needed skills and how to become one.

What Is a UX Researcher?

UX researchers study user behavior to answer important questions about how digital products and services are designed and how customers interact with them. The goal of a UX researcher is to improve a product or service through their findings. Some of the key insights UX researchers must uncover about users include their demographic information, how they use a product, what they get from a product and what issues they may have with the product. 

What Do UX Researchers Do?

UX researchers are tasked with learning what motivations, needs and behaviors users have when interacting with a product or service. The two main types of UX research are quantitative and qualitative. The goal of quantitative research is to identify the experience of a user by looking at data, such as click-through rates on landing pages, for example. The goal of qualitative research is to understand why users behave the way they do, and for this, UX researchers rely on field studies, moderated usability tests and user interviews.

UX Researcher Responsibilities

• Design, organize and implement user research projects, including A/B tests, field studies, user surveys, user interviews and usability tests.
• Analyze and synthesize qualitative and quantitative research to create and report findings.
• Present findings to designers, developers, leadership and stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with product and design teams and provide actionable feedback. 

Day-to-Day Responsibilities of UX Researchers

• Craft user research plans.
• Develop budgets and timelines for research projects. 
• Recruit targeted users.
• Conduct user interviews. 
• Create user surveys. 
• Organize usability tests.
• Conduct field studies.
• Analyze results from interviews and surveys. 

UX Researchers Within a Company

UX researchers are typically part of the product development team within a company. They often collaborate with leaders on the product team and design to create research plans, analyze results and data from surveys and questionnaires and make product recommendations. 

Importance of UX Researchers

UX researchers help companies understand the needs and wants of their customers as they approach the product or service. Without thoughtful UX researchers, companies will overlook the most important part of the design process: empathy. 

What Skills Are Needed to Be a UX Researcher?

Qualifications to be a ux researcher.

• Experience designing and executing user research.
• Knowledge of UX design principles.
• Strong understanding of statistics and data.
• Experience with user research tools and software.

UX Researcher Prerequisites

• UX researchers usually hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology, statistics, human-computer interaction, information systems or a related field. 
• A portfolio of previous user research projects. 

UX Researcher Hard Skills

• Data analysis.
• Math and statistics.
• UX research methods and software tools. 
• User testing. 
• Basic design skills.

UX Researcher Soft Skills

• Empathy and curiosity.
• Interpersonal communication and writing skills.
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Collaboration and teamwork skills.

Tools and Programs UX Researcher Use

• Google Forms 
• Google Optimize
• Optimal Workshop

How to Become a UX Researcher

Ux researcher education and experience.

UX researchers can come from a variety of different backgrounds; there isn’t one set degree that is necessarily best for UX research. Studying technology or behavioral and social sciences can all be relevant to UX research, as an understanding of tech and how humans interact with it is central to the role.

Outside of education, volunteering to run UX research projects for local businesses and non-profit organizations, as well as participating in hackathons, may be helpful experience in developing a UX research portfolio.

• UX Researcher Certificates and Courses
• UX Bootcamps to Know
• Google UX Design Professional Certificate
• General Assembly UX Design Immersive
• Northwestern UX/UI Boot Camp

UX Researcher Career Path

Although UX researchers can come from many different educational backgrounds, starting a UX research career with an internship is a great first step in the field. UX researchers may later take on roles such as UX designer or UX engineer.

UX Researcher Salary and Job Outlook

UX research is a growing field, with 41 percent of researchers only having five years of experience in the field. But the size of UX researcher teams is expected to grow too. Of UX researchers surveyed by User Interviews , 71 percent said there are five or more researchers on their team.

The full compensation package for a UX researcher depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location. See below for detailed information on the average UX researcher salary.

Expand Your UX Researcher Career Opportunities

Build a multi-dimensional skillset by completing online UX and design courses through Udemy.

Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place!

UPDATE (03/01/2016) : New Section!

• Just added a new section where we go over the most modern design and prototyping tools.
• We discuss design tools like Sketch 3, Photoshop, and Illustrator, so you can decide…

Your product won't be easy to use on accident.  The only way to deliver products and services that delight users is to  listen to them . If you want to learn how to do that, then this is the course for you.

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You've just landed on Udemy's highest rated course on user experience (UX). Thousands of user researchers and designers have used this course to kick-start their career in UX. You can do it, too.

UX Researcher Certifications + Programs

Reignite your journey up the career ladder with Udacity’s online UX and design certifications.

General Assembly’s User Experience Design Immersive is a transformative course designed for you to get the necessary skills for a UX Design role in three months. 

The User Experience Design bootcamp is led by instructors who are expert practitioners in their field, supported by career coaches that work with you since day one and enhanced by a career services team that is constantly in talks with employers about their UX Design hiring needs.

What you'll accomplish

As a graduate, you’ll have a portfolio of projects that show your creative and technical ability to launch the next generation of successful apps, websites and digital experiences. Throughout this program, you will:

Identify and implement the most effective methods of user research to gain a deeper understanding of what users want and need.

Use interaction and visual design techniques to craft a dynamic digital product that brings delight and function to users.

Conduct usability testing to make product experiences more accessible for diverse user populations and environments.

Learn best practices for working within a product team, employing product management techniques and evaluating technical constraints to better collaborate with developers.

Produce polished design documentation, including wireframes and prototypes, to articulate design decisions to clients and stakeholders.

Prepare for the world of work, compiling a professional-grade portfolio of solo, group, and client projects.

Prerequisites

This is a beginner-friendly program with no prerequisites, although many students are familiar with common tools for graphic and web designers and some may have had exposure to UX concepts in the past. The General Assembly curriculum helps you gain fluency in end-to-end UX processes, tools, and documentation and put them to work on the path to a new career as a User Experience Designer.

Why General Assembly

Since 2011, General Assembly has graduated more than 40,000 students worldwide from the full time & part time courses. During the 2020 hiring shutdown, GA's students, instructors, and career coaches never lost focus, and the KPMG-validated numbers in their Outcomes report reflect it. *For students who graduated in 2020 — the peak of the pandemic — 74.4% of those who participated in GA's full-time Career Services program landed jobs within six months of graduation.  General Assembly is proud of their grads + teams' relentless dedication and to see those numbers rising. Download the report here .

Your next step? Submit an application to talk to the General Assembly Admissions team

Note: reviews are referenced from Career Karma - https://careerkarma.com/schools/general-assembly

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IT CAREER GUIDES

User Researcher Career

What is a user researcher.

User researchers—sometimes called “market research analysts” or “consumer analysts”—specialize in learning the motivations of users when they interact with businesses. User researchers accomplish this task through various experimental and observational methods. They use data-driven approaches to learn whether or not a product or service fulfills user needs. User researchers typically apply a human-centered, empathetic mindset while striving to remove existing biases against users.

If a user researcher has succeeded in their role, they’ll be able to draw upon empirical evidence rather than mere opinion about users. This evidence can then be used to optimize the way an organization conceptualizes, creates, and distributes a product or service, whether it be physical merchandise, digital software, written content, or any number of other things.

Both qualitative and quantitative research methods—including usability testing—play a crucial role in studying user behavior. The end goal of many user researchers is to improve user satisfaction and, by extension, the organization serving users.

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a User Researcher Do?

To get a comprehensive understanding of user needs and behaviors, researchers rely on several methodological practices. These typically involve user surveys, user interviews, focus groups, A/B testing, card sorting, and more. User researchers work alongside product designers, content marketers, user experience (UX) designers, search engine optimization (SEO) specialists, and other developers to create and deploy marketing strategies.

The day-to-day job responsibilities of a user researcher usually include the following:

• Identifying and enlisting users for study
• Defining user needs by compiling research questions
• Conducting research via qualitative and quantitative testing
• Using data analysis software to interpret research results
• Sharing findings with key designers, developers, leaders, and stakeholders
• Participating in user research conferences, trainings, and other group events
• Maintaining a high standard of ethics in user research

No matter the industry they work in, user researchers convert their findings into deliverables designed to strengthen the ideation, development, launch, and sale of products.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

How do i become a user researcher.

As you prepare for a career in user research, keep in mind that there is not one set path to follow. Some user researchers are designers who want to understand how to better market their work. Others come from different professional backgrounds, applying their skills in behavioral science or web analytics. Many receive some form of higher education.

To become a user researcher, consider taking the following steps:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree in social science, psychology [hyperlink to WGU page], UX design, or a similar subject.
• Decide whether earning a relevant master’s degree aligns with your goals. A graduate degree could increase your earning potential or qualify you for higher-level job roles.
• Spend time gaining personal and professional experience in user research. For example, you might attend an online UX bootcamp, earn a UX certificate, or find a part-time or full-time job in user experience.
• Maintain a robust portfolio that showcases your work in user research. This resource could help you stand out to potential employers.

Best Degrees for a User Researcher

An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in...

An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in their life, and the lives of others.

• Time:  95% of students finish similar programs in less than 4 years.
• Tuition:  $4,085 per 6-month term.
• Courses:  34 total courses in this program.

Skills for your résumé included in this program: 

• Social psychology
• Consumer psychology
• Adult psychology
• Mental health awareness
• Psychopathology

This degree allows you to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the field of psychology and can prepare you for additional certifications or careers.

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger opportunities....

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger opportunities.

• Time:  60% of graduates finish similar programs within 35 months.
• Tuition:  $3,985 per 6-month term.
• Courses: 36 or 38 total courses in this program depending on your track.

Certifications included in this program at no additional cost are:

• CompTIA Project +
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 
• ITIL®1 Foundation Certification

Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:

• Scripting and programming
• Web development
• Mobile application development 
• User experience design
• Software quality assurance

How Much Does a User Researcher Make?

The income that user researchers earn varies depending on their specific field and level of expertise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary in May 2022 for market research analysts was $68,230 . The lowest 10% of these analysts earned less than $38,280, and the highest 10% earned more than $131,850.

What Is the Job Outlook?

The BLS states that employment of market research analysts is projected to grow by 13% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Around 94,600 openings for market research analysts are projected each year on average over the decade. Steady growth in digital technologies like e-commerce and increased demand for UX research are contributing to this healthy job outlook.

What Skills Does a User Researcher Need?

User researchers practice a wide variety of skills that help them engage with and understand their target audience. These skills may include:

• Foundational knowledge of UX design
• Empathy toward users
• Problem-solving
• Understanding of human-computer interaction
• Critical thinking
• Research skills
• Communication skills
• Willingness to innovate
• Understanding of the scientific method

Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long

No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!

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Interested in Becoming a User Researcher?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.

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UX/UI Design

How to Become a UX Researcher

By ashley paramo.

UX Research, or Design Research, is an essential part of the design process of any product. It ensures that a product is tailored to its intended audience, as it informs every aspect of the design process on what the target audience thinks, needs, and wants.

It’s the perfect career path for those who can appreciate the complexities of the design process and value the target audience’s needs above all else. If you’re interested in this career path, you’re in luck. UX Research is a sub-set of the UX field that not only pays well but is also in high demand.

If you’re interested in learning more about this career path, look no further. We got you covered.

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about the UX Research career path. You’ll learn the valuable skills that UX Researchers need to have, as well as the educational requirements they need to meet. You'll also learn the steps you can take to kickstart your way down the UX Research career path, with valuable tips for gaining experience and preparing for your UX Research job interview.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Skills Required to Become a UX Researcher

The UX Researcher role requires you to have a varied set of hard and soft skills. Here are some of the skills you need to have if you want to pursue a path in UX Research.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are the job-specific skills that you need to have in order to fulfill your responsibilities. Some hard skills that UX Researchers need to have are:

• User testing
• UX research methods
• Data analysis
• InVision (design tool)
• Wireframing/Prototyping

Soft Skills

Soft skills are those personality traits that help to determine how you work, by yourself and with others. Some soft skills that UX Researchers need to have are:

• Problem-solving
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Collaboration

Education Options and Qualifications Needed for UX Research

The good news is that many employers don’t require a specific degree for aspiring UX Researchers. Usually, they require degrees or certifications in similar fields. Some require an educational background in human behavior, while others focus their requirement on the field of UX.

But you should also consider that these employers also tend to place higher value on real-world experience in UX Research, which many newbies may not have when coming into the field. Still, there are a great variety of education paths you can take to ensure you have all the knowledge you need to start gaining valuable experience.

Here are some of the paths you can take to get an education in UX and UX Research.

Bootcamps are training programs that give you the specific set of skills and knowledge you’re looking to apply into your desired career path. They make good education options for many who are interested in learning quickly and without paying excessive amounts of money.

• Way more affordable than college
• Takes less time to complete
• Teaches you career-specific skills
• Some jobs may require college degrees
• May not be as in-depth as you'd like
• The fast pace can be challenging

College offers aspiring professionals a more traditional route for getting the skills they need. While many employers still require a college degree from candidates, it’s important to keep in mind that having a college degree doesn’t guarantee you a job. Still, this might be the best education option for many aspiring UX Researchers.

• Get an in-depth education on your chosen field
• Increased job opportunities
• Learning is at a slower pace
• Highly expensive and may require student loans
• Does not prepare you for any specific career
• Does not guarantee you a job

Self-learning

The power of the internet is so great that anyone can learn almost anything from a single Google search. This gives aspiring professionals an opportunity to learn the skills they need without paying a cent. This is a good thing, as not everyone has the same financial opportunities. However, there are many things to consider if you’re going to self-learn your way into a UX career path .

• Requires virtually no financial investment
• Allows you to learn at your own pace
• Allows you to learn exactly what you want to learn
• Most employers don't value the self-learning path
• Not all internet sources offer reliable information
• Offers you no form of guidance or assistance as you learn

Certificate Programs

Many businesses and universities offer UX and UX Research certificate programs . These programs take less time to complete than traditional university degrees and are far less expensive. As with everything, however, there are some pros and cons you should consider before you make a decision.

• Are drastically less expensive than college degrees
• Take less time to complete than other educational routes
• May offer specific job-related skills
• May not offer in-depth industry knowledge
• Some certificate programs may still be out of budget for some
• Some employers still require a college degree

Industry Certifications

The main difference between an industry certification and a regular certification is that industry certifications make sure meet industry standards. Every aspect about how you learn with an industry certification program adheres to strict guidelines, which allows the student to feel assured that the education they’re getting is relevant to their industry.

At the moment there are no formal industry certifications available for aspiring UX Researchers. Still, when such resources become available, you’d already know their pros and cons:

• Meets strict guidelines and adheres to industry standards
• Is less expensive than getting a college degree
• Takes less time to complete than other educational routes
• Could be more expensive than regular certifications
• Can still be out of budget for some

Gaining Experience to Become a UX Researcher

Once you have the educational foundation in UX and UX Research, you might consider gaining some real-world experience. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get hands-on experience in UX Research. Here are some of the routes you can take.

Internships

There are many paid and unpaid internship opportunities for aspiring UX professionals . The focus of each role varies. Some internships will focus on general UX, while others focus on UX Research and User Research.

You can start looking for internship opportunities by doing a simple Google search, or looking up “UX internships” on sites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Make sure to read each internship posting carefully, and each one will have different requirements and application processes.

Freelancing

Another way you can gain so real-world experience is through freelancing. Freelancing allows you to work on your own time and make money from your effort. It’s also a great way to start building your portfolio, as each project offers you a sample of work you can show to a potential employer.

Sites like Fiverr and Upwork help you find freelance work, though you can still find freelancing job roles on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn. Just be careful with freelancing sites. Some job postings are actually created with the intention of scamming applicants.

Volunteering

If all else fails, you can always volunteer. Many organizations are in dire need for the work that UX Researchers do but are unable to pay them for their work. Volunteering is a win-win situation that allows you to gain valuable experience while helping an organization or business with their UX Research needs.

You can also add this experience to your portfolio of work, and possibly get a letter of recommendation from the organization you volunteered for. Either way, it’s a great way to learn more about the field of UX Research and get the hands-on experience employers are looking for in a potential candidate.

Finding a Job in UX Research

Like with any other kind of job, finding a job in UX Research can be both simple and challenging. The trick of the job search process lies in:

• Knowing what you want
• Connecting with the right people
• Knowing where to look

Make sure to know exactly what type of role and job level you want before you begin your search. This will help your networking efforts, as well as help you narrow your search in job boards.

Start with your inner circle. Do you know anyone who works in the UX field or can give you the contact information of someone who has more information? You’d be surprised how many of your friends and acquaintances are able to connect you with professionals who can help you. Don’t be afraid to each out!

At the same time, make sure to start reaching out to professionals outside of your inner circle. You can find them by doing research on the field. Notice the names that stand out most in the community. When you reach out, remember to keep it professional. Don’t ask for a job, but rather ask for their time and get to know them. Networking is about building genuine relationships.

Online Community

You can also consider joining online communities where you can find people like you, who are seeking advice and guidance in their job search for a UX role. Join a community such as the one Design Buddies provides and connect with mentors and mentees who may help you advance in your job hunt.

The same logic applies when it comes to joining communities. If UX is your field of choice, look to build relationships instead of landing a job as soon as possible. Get to know the people you meet and make professional connections that will help everyone grow together.

Job Boards to Use

Finally, start your job search by build profiles on major job board sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter. Each job board site is different, so take some time to learn how each one works.

Once you’re familiar with a site, start searching for the roles that best suit what you’re looking for. Most sites even allow you to create job alerts that notify you when new job opportunities are posted. This will help accelerate your search and make it easier to find new opening the moment they are posted.

Prepping for a Job in UX Research

Preparing for a job in UX Research is very much like preparing for any other job. For aspiring UX Researchers, however, there are a few things you can do to help you stand out in front of a potential employer.

Resume Tips

Employers seeking UX Researchers have certain expectations and requirements you need to meet to get your foot in the door. When you’re creating your resume, make sure to follow these tips.

Emphasize your real-world experience. It’s always good to have an educational background in your field or industry, but to get the job, aspiring UX Researchers need to have experience. Make your experience the focus of your resume. Show potential employers that not only do you understand the topic, but that you’ve applied your skills in real-world experiences.

List your skills. If experience is the most important part of a UX Researcher’s resume, skills is definitely in second place. Employers want to know what specific skills you bring to the table. If you know how to use specific tools or have valuable skills under your belt, make sure to add them to your resume.

Cover Letter Tips

Cover letters are an important part of a job application, simply because they offer you another opportunity to stand out from the crowd of applicants. A solid resume is good to have but adding a well-written cover letter makes your application that much better.

If it’s not required, send one anyway. Not all employers require applicants to send cover letters with their resume. While this might seem like a good thing (as it means you don’t need to make as much effort to apply to a job), you should still try to send a cover letter with your application. A cover letter shows diligence and interest. It helps you stand out.

Show some personality. You should always remain professional when sending your application to an employer. This, however, does not mean you can’t show personality. Don’t copy a basic cover letter template or rewrite what your resume already shows. Take the time to make your cover letter uniquely you by expressing your genuine interest, what captured your attention about the position, and why you think you would be a good fit for the role.

Interview Tips

Job interviews can be extremely nerve-wracking for aspiring professionals. No matter the field, sitting down with a stranger and talking about yourself is at best awkward. Fortunately, this discomfort can be soothed with a little preparedness. Follow these tips to ace your interview.

Be prepared to tell your story. It’s difficult to answer questions about yourself if you haven’t taken the time to do a self-inventory. Before an interview, make sure to write out a brief summary about your professional life, your aspirations, skills, experience, and character traits. These will help you answer even that awkward, “So tell me about yourself.”

Be prepared to answer technical questions. Aspiring UX Researchers should be ready to answer a variety of questions related to the UX field . To prepare, take a short crash course on your field and freshen up your knowledge. Be ready to answer questions like, “what is your UX research process like?” and “what tools do you use to conduct UX research?”

Ready to Become a UX Researcher?

Becoming a UX Researcher may not happen overnight, but you now have the information to take yourself one step further in your career journey. This is a great career path where you will never stop learning and growing, and the field is in need of great aspiring UX Researchers just like you.

If you’re interested in pursuing this path further, consider applying to our UX/UI Design Bootcamp . You’ll learn user research, user empathy, and interactive design, all important skills to have if you want to become a UX Researcher.

Are you ready to take the leap into a new career? We’re here to make sure you land safely.

What are the education requirements to get a job in UX Research?

Many UX Research positions require you to have some form of educational background in the field. Some require college degrees, while others accept certifications. The important thing to note, however, is that employers put a higher level of importance on experience than on education.

What will I do on a daily basis?

UX Researchers play an important role in the UX design process. On a daily basis they can conduct research-related tasks such as planning, collecting important data, analyzing said data and presenting their findings to their team. They can also use this data to determine what the next step should be in the design process.

What skills do I need to become an UX Researcher?

There are a number of hard and soft skills you need to become a UX Researcher. Among them, you need to know UX Design, user testing, data analysis, and UX research methods. For soft skills, you need to be empathetic, communicative, and a good problem-solver.

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User Experience, Master of Science

User Experience

Master of Science

Course Delivery

Total Credits

Credit Hour

Minimum Duration

• Program Details

Course Information

Admissions requirements.

• Tuition & Fees

Program Overview

The Department of Information and Media offers a fully online, asynchronous masters-level program in User Experience (UX) to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles. UX focuses on humans interacting with technologies, as well as business goals, during the design process to create user-centered and socially responsive interactive technologies, applications, and information systems. The program enables students to earn a masters from one of the world’s leading programs without the expense and overall challenges associated with leaving their home or job. The 30-credit program emphasizes a “user-first” perspective, meaning it integrates knowledge of human-computer interaction with industry-relevant methods and social responsibility to prepare students for real-world experiences in the workplace, including technical and/or management careers in user-first experience design and human-centered research.

Program Outcomes

This premier online graduate user experience program combines user-first theoretical and practical knowledge of experience design that will help students build their skills and expertise to become champions of change, drivers of innovation, and creators of sustainable user experiences and engagements. With a Master of Science in User Experience from MSU, graduates will be prepared to:

• Become a UX leader, driving the technology behind product design and marketing
• Qualify for UX job roles such as designer, researcher, or project manager
• Design more usable and accessible websites, software, and products for diverse audiences
• Collect, analyze, and interpret user experience data to inform decision making
• Advance dynamic IT developments in the 21st century global workplace

Career Outlook

The User Experience program will position students for rewarding, well-paying careers in human-computer interaction, user experience design, and human-centered research. Graduates will have job titles that reflect the major UX areas:

• UX Design: UX designer, experience designer, interaction designer, or information architect
• UX Strategist: UX strategist, UX architect, UX product manager, or UX analyst
• Visual Design: Visual information designer, user interface (UI) designer, UI artist, or digital designer
• Research and Usability: UX researcher or usability researcher/specialist/analyst
• Content: Content strategist or UX copywriter

A Top-Ranked Education

• 31st among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
• A Top 100 Global University — Times Higher Education and U.S. News & World Report

Jeff  Siarto

Interim program director of ux, ms.

Jeff is a UI/UX designer, author, and technologist with over 15 years of experience building web and software user interfaces. Since 2013 he’s been working with NASA and other organizations to help make remote sensing and Earth Science data more usable and actionable for scientists, engineers, and the general public.

UX 800 - User Research and Design, 3 credits

UX 802 - Current Topics in UX, 3 credits

UX 805 - Quantitative Analysis and Insights in UX, 3 credits

UX 810 - Social Science for Design, 3 credits

UX 815 - Programming Fundamentals for UX, 3 credits

UX 820 - Usability Evaluation, 3 credits

UX 825 - Visual Design Fundamentals, 3 credits

UX 830 - Design for Interactivity, 3 credits

UX 835 - Accessibility and Design, 3 credits

UX 840 - UX and Society, 3 credits

UX 898 - User Experience Capstone/Practicum, 3 credits

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degreefrom a recognized, accredited educational institution (Minimum of 3.0 undergraduate GPA). No GRE required.
• Previous work experience preferred (Résumé/CV, portfolio is optional)
• TOEFL/IELTS scores if English is not your native language
• A written personal statement detailing your professional interests and goals
• Letter of recommendation
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a departmental and university graduate application 
• Submit all official transcripts

Fall Semester

Application Deadline

Spring Semester

December 10th

Tuition & Fees per credit

Cost of attendance, the msu value promise.

You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.

As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.

MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.

MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.

MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.

Continuing education  can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals.  With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.

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User Research

What is user research.

User research is the methodic study of target users—including their needs and pain points—so designers have the sharpest possible insights to make the best designs. User researchers use various methods to expose problems and design opportunities and find crucial information to use in their design process.

Discover why user research is a crucial part of the design process.

• Transcript loading…

User Research – Get to know your Users, and What They want

To call user research a crucial part of an interaction design process might seem overly obvious. Indeed, it’s the only way to discover exactly what these users need, having first found out precisely who they are. To set out to generate these facts, you must gather data from your users through a structured approach . First, you must choose methods that 1) suit your research’s purpose and 2) will yield the clearest information. Afterwards—to get the insights you want—you’ll need to interpret your findings from all that data, which can be tricky . You can apply user research anytime during the design process. Typically, researchers begin with qualitative measures, to discover users’ needs and motivations . They might later test their results by using quantitative measures .

“Research is creating new knowledge.” – Neil Armstrong, the First person to walk on the Moon

User research essentially splits into two subsets:

Qualitative research – Ethnographic field studies and interviews are examples of methods that can help you build a deep understanding of why users behave the way they do (e.g., why they leave a website so quickly). For instance, you can interview a small number of users and get sharp insights into their shopping habits by asking them open-ended questions. Usability testing is another dimension of this type of research (e.g., examining users’ stress levels when they use a certain design). Qualitative research requires great care. As it involves collecting non-numerical data (e.g., opinions), your own opinions might influence findings.

Quantitative research – With more-structured methods such as surveys, you gather measurable data about what users do and test assumptions you developed from qualitative research. An example is to use an online survey to ask users questions about their shopping habits (e.g., “Approximately how many items of clothing do you buy online per year?”). You can use this data to find patterns within a large user group. In fact, the larger the sample of representative test users is, the more likely you’ll have a statistically reliable way of assessing the target user population. Regardless of the method, with careful research you can gather objective and unbiased data. Nevertheless, quantitative data alone cannot expose deeper human insights.

We can also split user research into two approaches:

Attitudinal – you listen to users’ words (e.g., in interviews).

Behavioral – you watch their actions through observational studies.

Usually, you can get the sharpest view of a design problem when you apply a mixture of both quantitative and qualitative research as well as a mixture of attitudinal and behavioral approaches.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0

Leverage User Research Methods throughout Development

Industry-leading user experience consulting organization the Nielsen Norman Group names appropriate user research methods for you to use during your project’s four stages . Here are key methods:

Discover – Determine what’s relevant for users.

Diary studies – Have users log their performance of activities or record their daily interactions with a design.

Contextual inquiries – Interview suitable users in their own environment to find out how they perform the task/s in question.

Explore – See how to address all users’ needs.

Card sorting – On cards, write words and phrases and then let participants organize these in the most meaningful way and label categories to ensure your design is logically structured.

Customer journey maps – Create user journeys to reveal potential pitfalls and crucial moments.

Test – Evaluate your designs.

Usability testing – Make sure your design is easy to use.

Accessibility evaluations – Test your design to ensure everyone can use it.

Listen – Put issues in perspective, uncover any new problems and spot trends.

Analytics – Gather analytics/metrics to chart (e.g.) website traffic and generate reports.

Surveys/Questionnaires – Track how users’ feel about your product/design via these.

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However you approach user research, always consider the pros and cons of each technique . Card sorting is cheap and easy, for example, but may prove time-consuming when you proceed to analysis. Moreover, it might not provide in-depth contextual meaning. The resources available to you are another constraint. These will decide when, how much and which type of user research you can actually do. Therefore, carefully choose only the most relevant method/s for your research . Also, get stakeholders from your organization involved early on . They can reveal precious insights and help keep your research on track regarding business goals. Overall, user research is a valuable way to validate the assumptions the design team makes concerning users in the field , cut the expense of the best deliverables and keep your product’s demand high and ahead of competitors’ in the marketplace.

User research methods have various pros and cons and involve activities ranging from observations of users in context to controlled experiments in lab settings.

Learn More about User Research

For a fuller grasp of user research, take our course here .

See the Nielsen Norman Group’s list of user research tips .

Find an extensive range of user research considerations , discussed in Smashing Magazine.

Here’s a convenient and example-rich catalogue of user research tools.

Questions related to User Research

User Research is a fulfilling career for individuals driven to comprehend user behaviors and work collaboratively with teams. As a User Researcher, you're instrumental in steering teams towards crafting user-centric solutions. If you're intrigued by a career that combines both analytical and creative insights, consider delving into this field. For a comprehensive understanding, explore the User Researcher Learning Path on our platform.

User Researchers are seeing competitive pay in the industry. On average, they can earn from $92,000 to $146,000 annually. In some smaller firms, user research duties might be combined with a broader UX role. To understand how salaries can differ by region or delve into a broader perspective on UX-related pay, check out this detailed guide on UI UX Designer Salaries for 2023 or Glassdoor's breakdown of User Experience Researcher salaries .

While both are integral to the user experience, User Research and UX Design serve different purposes. User Research delves deep into understanding user preferences and needs, paving the way for informed design strategies. In contrast, UX Design is about sculpting a product based on that insight, ensuring it's both user-centric and aesthetically pleasing. 

Sometimes, especially in compact teams, the roles might blur with a designer handling research. Want a comprehensive insight? Dive into User Experience: The Beginner's Guide to explore their interconnected dynamics.

Yes, there is! Think of UX research as a subset of user research. While both focus on understanding users, user research casts a broader net, examining topics like pricing or delivery preferences. UX research, meanwhile, zeroes in on how users interact with a product and their experience doing so. In short, user research looks at broader interactions, while UX research specifically studies product use. To dive deeper, check out our course on User Research Methods and Best Practices .

User research utilizes varied techniques such as usability testing, A/B tests, surveys, card sorting, interviews, analytics analysis, and ethnographic studies. Every approach brings unique insights and is ideal for specific situations. It's essential to choose the proper technique based on your research goals and your audience. Discover these techniques further in 7 Great, Tried and Tested UX Research Techniques . 

For a comprehensive understanding of usability testing, a popular user research method, check out our course on User Research Methods and Best Practices .

While a related degree can be beneficial, it's not strictly required to become a user researcher. Many successful user researchers have degrees in diverse fields like psychology, design, anthropology, statistics, or human-computer interaction. What's crucial is a mix of relevant education, hands-on experience, and continuous learning. Even if some employers might favor candidates with a bachelor's degree, it can be in something other than a UX-focused area. Only some degrees specifically target user research. To strengthen your knowledge, consider courses like Data-Driven Design: Quantitative Research for UX or User Research Methods and Best Practices .

While each user research project is unique, some standard steps guide most endeavors:

Determine the research question.

Choose the proper research technique.

Find participants.

Execute the research.

Evaluate the gathered data.

Share the results.

For a thorough understanding of these steps and more, check out User Research – Methods and Best Practices .

There's a wide array of user research tools to pick from, tailored to your research goals, organizational size, and project specifics. Some popular choices include:

For surveys: Typeform or Google Forms.

Card sorting: Tools like Optimal Workshop, Maze or Trello.

Analyzing user activity: HotJar or CrazyEgg for heatmaps.

Usability evaluations: Platforms like Userlytics or Lookback.

Analyzing qualitative data: Miro or Lucidchart for affinity diagramming.

Crunching numbers: Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel for quantitative insights.

Usability testing on prototypes: Tools like Adobe XD or Figma.

Presenting findings: Use Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Prezi.

These tools often boast extra features to amplify your research.

Dive deeper into their applications with User Research – Methods and Best Practices .

User research is paramount in creating products that align with users' genuine needs and preferences. Instead of basing designs on assumptions, it provides factual insights into how users feel and interact with products. By engaging in user research, designers can spot usability challenges, collect feedback on design ideas, and validate their design decisions. For businesses, this not only refines product offerings but also strengthens brand loyalty and reputation. A standout user experience gives a company a competitive edge and lowers the chances of product setbacks. Dive deeper into the significance of user research in design with Data-Driven Design: Quantitative Research for UX and User Experience: The Beginner’s Guide .

Literature on User Research

Here’s the entire UX literature on User Research by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about User Research

Take a deep dive into User Research with our course User Research – Methods and Best Practices .

How do you plan to design a product or service that your users will love , if you don't know what they want in the first place? As a user experience designer, you shouldn't leave it to chance to design something outstanding; you should make the effort to understand your users and build on that knowledge from the outset. User research is the way to do this, and it can therefore be thought of as the largest part of user experience design .

In fact, user research is often the first step of a UX design process—after all, you cannot begin to design a product or service without first understanding what your users want! As you gain the skills required, and learn about the best practices in user research, you’ll get first-hand knowledge of your users and be able to design the optimal product—one that’s truly relevant for your users and, subsequently, outperforms your competitors’ .

This course will give you insights into the most essential qualitative research methods around and will teach you how to put them into practice in your design work. You’ll also have the opportunity to embark on three practical projects where you can apply what you’ve learned to carry out user research in the real world . You’ll learn details about how to plan user research projects and fit them into your own work processes in a way that maximizes the impact your research can have on your designs. On top of that, you’ll gain practice with different methods that will help you analyze the results of your research and communicate your findings to your clients and stakeholders—workshops, user journeys and personas, just to name a few!

By the end of the course, you’ll have not only a Course Certificate but also three case studies to add to your portfolio. And remember, a portfolio with engaging case studies is invaluable if you are looking to break into a career in UX design or user research!

We believe you should learn from the best, so we’ve gathered a team of experts to help teach this course alongside our own course instructors. That means you’ll meet a new instructor in each of the lessons on research methods who is an expert in their field—we hope you enjoy what they have in store for you!

All open-source articles on User Research

A simple introduction to lean ux.

• 1.3k shares
• 3 years ago

How to Do a Thematic Analysis of User Interviews

• 1.2k shares

How to Conduct User Interviews

• 2 years ago

7 Great, Tried and Tested UX Research Techniques

User Research: What It Is and Why You Should Do It

• 1.1k shares

How to Conduct User Observations

How to Visualize Your Qualitative User Research Results for Maximum Impact

Shadowing in User Research - Do You See What They See?

Creating Personas from User Research Results

The Basics of Recruiting Participants for User Research

Co-Cultures and Value Framing: Know your users

• 4 years ago

How to Conduct Focus Groups

Understand the User’s Perspective through Research for Mobile UX

• 11 mths ago

Learning Experience Design - The Most Valuable Lessons

Ethnography

Chapter 11: Curated List of Research techniques

Personas for Mobile UX Design

Mobile Usability Research – The Important Differences from the Desktop

How to Prepare for a User Interview and Ask the Right Questions

5 Ways to Improve the UX of Your Applications

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New to UX Design? We’re Giving You a Free ebook!

Download our free ebook The Basics of User Experience Design to learn about core concepts of UX design.

In 9 chapters, we’ll cover: conducting user interviews, design thinking, interaction design, mobile UX design, usability, UX research, and many more!

What is a user experience researcher and how to become one

A user experience researcher studies how people interact with products, services, or systems. They conduct research to understand user needs, behaviors, and preferences. This involves using surveys, interviews, usability testing, and data analysis. User experience researchers use their findings to inform the design and development of products with more user-friendly outcomes. They work collaboratively with designers, developers, and stakeholders to create intuitive and satisfying user experiences that meet the needs of the target audience.

How long does it takes to become a user experience researcher?

It typically takes 5-6 years to become a user experience researcher:

• Years 1-4: Obtaining a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as psychology, sociology, or computer science. During this time, aspiring UX researchers will learn about human behavior, research methods, and data analysis.
• Years 5-6: Accumulating the necessary work experience in user research, usability testing, and data analysis. This involves conducting user interviews, creating user personas, and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Salary $99,849
• Growth Rate 19%
• Jobs Number 24,148
• Complexity Level Challenging
• Most Common Skill User Research
• Most Common Degree Bachelor's degree
• Best State Washington

What are the pros and cons of being a User Experience Researcher?

Possibility for remote work and flexible schedules

Competitive salary and job security

High demand for UX researchers in the job market

Possibility for international work experience

Potential for career advancement

Time-consuming research process with unpredictable outcomes

Pressure to deliver results quickly and accurately

Difficulties in communicating research findings to stakeholders

Potential for burnout due to high workload or project demands

Limited opportunities for career growth in smaller organizations.

User Experience Researcher career paths

A user experience researcher can follow several career paths. They can become a user experience designer, senior user experience designer, or creative director, managing the design and user experience of products. They can also become a product manager or senior product manager, overseeing the development of products from a user perspective. They can even become a marketing vice president, overseeing the marketing strategy of a company. Some user experience researchers can also become human factors engineers or user experience managers, specializing in the technical and user-centered design of products.

Key steps to become a user experience researcher

Explore user experience researcher education requirements.

The educational requirements for a user experience researcher typically include a bachelor's or master's degree in fields such as Psychology, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, and even Biology or Chemistry. According to Mario Jimenez Chacon , Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, "a qualified researcher needs to have the hard skills associated with their field, for example, the appropriate certification/ degrees or the ability to use technology effectively." Additionally, he notes that being multilingual is a skill that sets a candidate apart. Top schools for user experience researcher education include the University of Maryland - College Park, University of Georgia, and University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Most common user experience researcher degrees

Bachelor's

Master's

Start to develop specific user experience researcher skills

User experience researchers focus on improving usability by conducting A/B testing and gathering data through interviews, surveys, and usability testing. They analyze and organize data, present research results to cross-functional audiences, and provide recommendations for user-friendly mobile applications and enterprise applications. They also design wireframes and mockups for data visualization opportunities, use generative and evaluative research methods, and collaborate with designers and engineers to guide design decisions.

Complete relevant user experience researcher training and internships

Research user experience researcher duties and responsibilities.

A user experience researcher's responsibilities include conducting A/B testing, researching user behavior, designing user interfaces, and analyzing data. They also gather and organize data, analyze statistical results, and present findings to cross-functional audiences. They may work on literature reviews, create interactive prototypes, and conduct usability testing. They collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers to guide design decisions and ensure a user-centered approach. As Professor Jan Levine of Duquesne University's School of Law puts it, "Efficiency in research, clarity in explanation of the use of researched materials, and having a conscious plan of how to conduct research" are all essential skills for a user experience researcher.

• Lead a team of researchers charge with the development of new homogeneous catalysis and process chemistry technologies.
• Lead focus group sessions of 4-6 study participants, code transcripts of sessions, and analyze data using STATA.
• Create Linux shell scripts to automate common process which severely reduce manual work load and processing time for the entire lab.
• Conduct RNA/DNA isolation technique experiments; perform RT-PCR and DNA gels for analysis.

Prepare your user experience researcher resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your user experience researcher resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a user experience researcher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable User Experience Researcher Resume templates

Apply for user experience researcher jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a user experience researcher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

• Browse job boards for relevant postings
• Consult your professional network
• Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
• Watch out for job scams

Are you a User Experience Researcher?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average user experience researcher salary

The average User Experience Researcher salary in the United States is $99,849 per year or $48 per hour. User experience researcher salaries range between $73,000 and $135,000 per year.

What Am I Worth?

How do user experience researchers rate their job?

User experience researcher reviews.

The struggle of not breaking a certain research topic.

User Experience Researcher FAQs

Ux researcher vs. ux designer, how do you become a ux researcher with no experience, how much does a user experience researcher make, is ux research dying, is ux research in demand, what degree do you need to be a ux researcher, what skills do you need to be a ux researcher, search for user experience researcher jobs, user experience researcher jobs by state.

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Updated April 25, 2024

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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UX Degrees – A Global List of UX-related Bachelor & Master Degrees

User Experience as a discipline is not yet well-established in many universities. There are, however, degrees in related fields that you can study at a tertiary level. These include: Interaction Design , HCI , Information Architecture, Digital Design, and others.

For more information on the pros and cons of university degrees (especially when it comes to landing a job in UX) read the chapter “Step 1: Get Educated” in our eBook,  Get Started in UX .

The List of UX Degrees

Follow @uxmastery.

User Experience Research

User experience research: uxr program.

The coursework in this program emphasizes experiential learning of core methods via hands-on, practical exercises, adapted for business contexts. Students learn how those methods inform design thinking and are communicated to designers. Students develop a social media profile, expand their professional network, and evaluate their skill set in relation to current job postings in user research. In the capstone project, students demonstrate their mastery of the skill-set by negotiating, planning, and executing a user research project with a stakeholder organization.

User Experience Research Certificate

The 12-credit certificate is intended for degree-seeking undergraduate students desiring to enhance or augment their major.

User Experience Research Minor

The minor is intended for degree-seeking undergraduate students who want to expand on the skills gained in the User Experience Research Certificate by completing complementary coursework. Students can earn a minor in User Experience by taking all of the certificate classes listed above (12 credits) and a total of 6 credits from these options.

See instructions on how to add this certificate to your degree plan .

User Research (UXR-Pro) Professional Certificate

This 12-credit fully online certificate is intended for non-degree seeking working professionals who wish to develop or enhance their UXR skillset. Learn more about the UX Professional Certificate program.

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• Home: Explore careers

User researcher

Alternative titles for this job include.

User researchers collect, analyse and test data to design websites, software and applications based on user needs.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings occasionally

How to become

How to become a user researcher.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• applying directly
• a graduate training scheme

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• human computer interaction (HCI)
• digital marketing
• product design
• graphic design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Volunteering

You can volunteer at user research sessions to get some experience. This will be useful, especially if you do not have a degree.

You can also get involved in the online user experience (UX) community and find a mentor to help you.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to user research or digital design companies, or go through a specialist agency.

To apply, you'll need experience in:

• user-centred design practices
• running user research sessions in person and online
• different user research methods
• presenting user research findings in different formats

Other Routes

You could apply for a place on a user research or marketing company's graduate training scheme if you have a degree, for example in digital marketing or product design.

Career tips

It will be useful if you have experience of working in agile project development.

You can find further information on what a user researcher does at the Government Digital Service .

It will also help if you have a portfolio to show examples of your work to employers.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a user researcher from the User Experience Professionals' Association and techskills .

What it takes

Skills and knowledge.

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of English language
• maths knowledge
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

What you'll do, day-to-day tasks.

On a daily basis you could:

• plan and design user research testing sessions
• recruit users for testing sessions and carry out research
• get an understanding of users' needs, motivations and any problems with a service or product
• use research results to identify new product and design ideas
• work as part of a large product development team
• help colleagues understand user behaviours
• present user insights to project stakeholders at all levels

Working environment

You could work in an office, at a client's business or from home.

Career path and progression

With experience you could move into a management role and supervise a team of user researchers. You could also work on larger, more complicated projects as a head of user experience or research.

You could become a business analyst, or product or service designer.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships in england.

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a user researcher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Level 3 certificate in user experience/user interface (ux/ui) ncfe.

• Provider: THE CITY LITERARY INSTITUTE
• Start date: 01 October 2024
• Location: London

UI UX Design

• Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
• Start date: 24 September 2024
• Location: HACKNEY

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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Taught Master’s vs research Master’s: which do you choose?

Looking to take on a Master’s degree? Great! But which route do you take? Taught Master’s or Research Master’s? Let’s take a look at your options!

When you're looking at postgraduate courses , you'll notice that Master's degrees are split into two types - taught Master's (PGT) and research Master's (PGR). While they have many similarities such as the course length and the intensity of work, how they are run varies. Which you choose will depend on your subject choice, interests and how you want your postgraduate degree to look.

Postgraduate taught vs research - what's the difference?

Ultimately, the difference between a taught Master's and a research Master's is the level of independent study involved. While taught Master's will see you spending more time in lectures, and seminars, a research Master's will include taking on independent research and training.

Taught postgraduate (PGT)

You'll take part in lectures for specific modules set by the university. You'll study independently but your timetable of lectures and seminars will be set for you. You will still need to write a dissertation at the end of your studies. This is the most common type of postgraduate course . Master of Arts (MA) , Master of Science (MSc) , PGCert and PGDip all follow the taught structure.

Research postgraduate (PGR)

A little less common, with little to no set timetable to follow. Your studies will focus on extended projects and research. This will be overseen by your supervisor who will be there to offer expert guidance. This structure is seen for Master of Research (MRes) , and Master of Philosophy (MPhil) .

Which is right for me?

Whether you choose a PGT or PGR will very much depend on what's best for you. Ask yourself, what are your goals? Which will better my career? Which plays to my academic strengths? Knowing your answers to these will help you to see which is the better option.

Taught Master's allows you to continue studying in a way you'll be used to from your undergraduate degree, with specific modules and structure. It will also improve many skills that will make you more employable after uni. On the other hand, there is less flexibility in what you study and may stop you from specialising early in your career.

With a Research Master's you can focus on a topic that interests you as well as gain insight into what a PhD is like . It's a great option if you're looking to pursue a research career. It does mean that you'll be working very independently and won't have as much time with other students. You will also be focussing on one specific area for the full year so make sure you love what you're studying!

Difference in Master's fees

While a Research Master's tends to cost less than a Taught Master's, it will depend on the type of research you're doing and in what department you as well as whether the research is taking place in a lab setting which is more expensive to run.

Funding options

In the UK, all domestic Master's students can apply for a student loan through the postgraduate student finance scheme . There are also grants , bursaries and scholarships available, depending on your personal circumstances and area of study.

If you're looking to take a Research Master's ahead of a PhD or an integrated PhD, there are other funding options available through the UK Research and Innovation Council that are worth exploring.

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Northumbria Uni

385 courses

129 courses

Want to learn more about a university?

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The number of young working men without college degrees has tanked in the last 30 years. It could be because their wages have barely budged.

• A Pew Research Center report found young men without college degrees earned more in 2023 than a decade earlier.
• In the longer term, though, real wages for those without degrees have been mostly flat since the '90s.
• It could be contributing to a much smaller share of men without degrees in the labor force.

Young men without college degrees have been dropping out of the workforce for decades. But those who are working have higher earnings compared to 10 years ago, even as those wages have been mostly going sideways for decades.

On Thursday, the Pew Research Center released a report delving into whether a college degree is worth it . The report compares economic outcomes for young adults who've completed a college degree with those who have not.

In a survey of 5,203 adults in the US conducted from November to December 2023, the report found that only 22% of adults think the cost of college is worth it if it's accompanied by taking on student loans .

And while those who graduated from a four-year degree program reported their higher education as being extremely or very useful in equipping them with the skills they needed for their careers, young men — aged 25 to 34 — without college degrees saw improvement in their economic conditions over the past decade, even though in the longer term their wages have not kept up.

For example, according to the report, median earnings have been "increasing modestly" over the past 10 years for young men with a high school education or some college education who are working full time — and the median household income adjusted for inflation of young men with a high school education is now $75,200, up from $63,800 in 2014.

In the recently tight labor market where some employers have had a rough time getting workers interested in filling open roles and amid low unemployment rates, Richard Fry, senior researcher at Pew Research Center, told Business Insider in a statement "employers have to pay higher wages in order to attract and retain workers, including less-educated workers."

Related stories

"Labor markets were also tight in the late 1990s," Fry said. "Accompanying that wages were also bid up for non-college educated young men at that time."

While young men working full-time, year-round and whose highest educational attainment is a high school diploma have higher real earnings than in 2014, they are not earning as much as their peers with a bachelor's degree or more.

Pew found young men with at least a bachelor's saw their median earnings rise from $67,500 in 2014 to $77,000 in 2023, a 14% increase over the decade. Meanwhile, those whose highest educational attainment is a high school diploma saw median earnings climb from $39,300 in 2014 to $45,000 in 2023, a similar increase of 14.6% based on the data shared with Business Insider.

This report comes amid a changing higher education atmosphere. A growing number of young adults are choosing to skip college because they don't believe taking on student debt will pay off, and some states are increasingly removing college degree requirements in an effort to fill more jobs. As a result, earning a degree might not come with the same benefits and prestige that it used to. The unemployment rate for Americans aged 25 and older with only a high school diploma was 4.0% as of April 2024, down from 6.2% in April 2014.

But despite the gains in earnings and household income for young men without degrees over the past decade, economic conditions are still far from perfect. Over the past few decades, the challenge of finding a high-paying job without a college degree is among the reasons some men have exited the labor force .

In April 1950, about 96% of American men ages 25 to 54 had a job or were actively looking for work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . As of April 2024, that figure had fallen to about 89%. As of April, 62.9% of US men aged 25 and older with only a high school degree were employed, down from over 72% in 2000 — although an aging population could explain some of this decline.

Pew Research Center's analysis shows the share of young men with a high school diploma as their highest educational attainment who are working or looking for work has dropped from 98% in 1970 to around 87% in 2023. That rate had climbed from 84% in 2021.

Fry said in a statement that one reason for the long-term drop in the share of this particular group of men seeking work or actually working could be due to falling wages. "But there is debate as to whether that alone is sufficient to explain the decline," Fry added.

Fry added, "the rising rates of young men with criminal records" could be a reason given they could have a hard time finding work . "More recently, the rise of opioid addiction may be contributing to the decline in young men's labor force participation," Fry said.

These challenges persist today for some men, who now account for less than half of college enrollees , even as more companies have started hiring candidates without a degree and wages have risen over the past few years for some lower-income workers. While the median inflation-adjusted earnings of young US men without a college degree have risen over the past decade, they remain lower than they were in 1970, per Pew's analysis.

In contrast, a chart in the new report said, "Labor force participation of young women without a college degree has risen since 2014." The report said, "as of 2023, 69% of young women with a high school education were in the labor force, as were 78% of young women with some college education." Still, the levels are slightly lower than 2000, which could be a result of a lack of federal paid and family leave benefits, forcing some women to leave their jobs if they have a baby.

Deciding whether the cost of college is worth it is something younger Americans are increasingly grappling with. A recent survey from Deloitte found that a third of Gen Z and millennials chose to skip higher education due to financial barriers, personal circumstances, and looking for careers that don't require college degrees — showing how if schools don't adjust to the changing values of young adults, they might soon lose their relevance.

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