Observational research

Observing users in their real environments can provide valuable insights for UX research. Look for places like coffee shops, malls, or workspaces where users naturally interact with products.

There are two main parts of observational research — watching users and sometimes asking questions. While interviews can offer insights into how users think, they’re not always reliable because people don’t always act the way they say they do.^[1]

Observation can also take place in a controlled setting, like a lab. Here, moderators may observe users completing tasks and ask questions about their actions and thoughts. In other cases, researchers observe without interrupting, taking notes instead.

For UX writing, observation in both natural and lab settings helps identify where users get confused, stumble, smile, or skim the text. This can highlight areas where the copy may need improvement.