<span class="span-reading-time rt-reading-time" style="display: block;"><span class="rt-label rt-prefix">Reading Time: </span> <span class="rt-time"> 6</span> <span class="rt-label rt-postfix">minutes</span></span>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Image-50-1024x576.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-9452" srcset="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Image-50-1024x576.webp 1024w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Image-50-300x169.webp 300w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Image-50-768x432.webp 768w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Image-50-1536x864.webp 1536w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Image-50.webp 1920w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>A UX researcher’s job is to understand people and uncover insights about a user group to inform and improve a product, its overall design, and the user&#8217;s experience with it.</p>



<p>If you are familiar with UX research and want to pursue a career in it, but don’t know where to start, then this guide will help you in developing and establishing your <a href="https://octet.design/careers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">career</a> as a UX researcher.</p>



<p>Let’s get started.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Who is a UX researcher?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="766" height="381" src="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1_Who-is-UX-researcher.png" alt="Who is UX researcher" class="wp-image-5887" srcset="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1_Who-is-UX-researcher.png 766w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1_Who-is-UX-researcher-300x149.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>A UX researcher is a curious person who loves to answer riddles and problems. If you are an empathetic person and have the ability to come up with creative and feasible solutions to resolve issues, then you have the potential to become a UX Researcher.</p>



<p>As a UX or user experience researcher, you need to think and answer the following questions:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>What is the <a href="https://octet.design/journal/target-audience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">audience</a> that the company caters to?</li>



<li>Where do they come from?</li>



<li>What could be their expectations from the product</li>



<li>Why does the audience want it?</li>



<li>How will the product help them simplify and organize their lives?</li>
</ol>



<p>All these questions will help to create a strong and moving UX research plan that will help to understand the user&#8217;s point of view.</p>



<p>UX Researcher systematically collects the target user&#8217;s thoughts and reviews to analyze the data. The insights or results from the <a href="https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/what-is-data-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">data analysis</a> help transform and develop the new product.</p>



<p>Improvising is the best step to climbing the ladder of success. If a company wants to stay in the market and control the industry, it needs to evolve and bring new changes in services and products, so the user does not trail elsewhere.</p>



<p>Guessing with the help of knowledge and experience is a risky game without knowing the odds. When you have the numbers and strategy in your hand, every risk you play in the market will work 100%.</p>



<p>UX Research provides the <a href="https://octet.design/journal/coca-cola-india-charged-new-brand-identity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brand company</a> with the risk they will play in the market with a planned and researched strategy.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What are the skills required in UX Research?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="766" height="381" src="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2_Skills-required-in-UX-research-.png" alt="Skills required in UX research" class="wp-image-5888" srcset="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2_Skills-required-in-UX-research-.png 766w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/2_Skills-required-in-UX-research--300x149.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>Here are the skills that the companies want in the candidates applying for UX Researcher:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/8-ways-you-can-improve-your-communication-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Communication skills</a></li>



<li>Design thinking</li>



<li>Problem-solving</li>



<li>Curiosity</li>



<li><a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/teamwork-and-collaboration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Teamwork and collaboration</a></li>
</ul>



<p>So, if you are a person who loves technology and has a way with numbers and data, moreover loves to read and decipher people&#8217;s minds, then UX Research is the job for you!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Techniques used by UX experts to conduct UX research</h3>



<p>Here are the techniques and procedures used by UX experts to collect the data from resources and transform data into fruitful information:</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">UX and Design Thinking</h4>



<p><a href="https://octet.design/journal/design-thinking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Design thinking</a> is a broad framework that UX researchers use to find an effective solution to resolve the set of problems faced by the users. After defining the problem solution, the UX researchers <a href="https://octet.design/journal/creative-brainstorming-techniques/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brainstorm</a> the possible solutions and build <a href="https://www.ignitec.com/insights/5-tips-for-building-a-low-cost-prototype-user-testing-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low-budget prototypes</a>.</p>



<p>If you are wondering how to apply design thinking and explore more about it, read our article on how you can use <a href="https://octet.design/journal/optimise-business-process-with-design-thinking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">design thinking to optimize business</a> processes.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Decision Mapping</h4>



<p>Decision Mapping is a <a href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/cost-effective-method" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">cost-effective method</a> for carrying out the research process. It helps in precisely defining the user expectations from the product and solutions, so the design team can build it efficiently.</p>



<p>It can be used to make decisions from comprehensive ideas (for example, you can decide whether or not you should pursue a certain opportunity) to UX-specific problems (like what navigation concept should be included in the app).</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Interviews</h4>



<p>Interviewing is a straightforward process where the researcher asks the user certain questions about their experience with the product and the services. The feedback collected from the users will help to broaden the understanding of users&#8217; expectations and requirements.</p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Prototyping</h4>



<p><a href="https://octet.design/journal/prototyping/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prototyping</a> is developing a smaller and early version of the idea that would be developed into a full-scale project. It is easier to make changes and modifications in the prototype designs. This technique helps in saving time, energy, and money.</p>



<p>Other methods like <a href="https://octet.design/journal/usability-testing-for-enterprise-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">usability testing</a>, <a href="https://www.oracle.com/cx/marketing/what-is-ab-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">A/B testing</a>, surveys and questionnaires, and <a href="https://octet.design/journal/diary-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diary studies</a> help conduct research and draw useful information from the data.</p>



<p>You may like to read on:<br>How to <a href="https://octet.design/journal/get-ui-ux-design-job-with-no-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get a UI UX design job</a> with no experience?</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What a UX researcher does?</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="766" height="381" src="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/4_What-does-a-UX-Researcher-do_.png" alt="Role of UX researcher" class="wp-image-5890" srcset="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/4_What-does-a-UX-Researcher-do_.png 766w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/4_What-does-a-UX-Researcher-do_-300x149.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>A UX researcher devotes his mind and heart to research to find solutions to imaginary questions. You will have to fidget with numbers gained by conducting different types of research like:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><b>Quantitative research </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">collects numbers and uses statistics to find a pattern from them. <a href="https://www.shiksha.com/online-courses/articles/quantitative-research-types-methods-and-examples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Quantitative research</a> helps to define the areas where there can be improvisation.</span></li>



<li><b>Qualitative research </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">focuses on answering the why questions. It helps in finding the users&#8217; difficulties with the product and services.</span></li>



<li><b>Behavioural research </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">helps predict a user&#8217;s pattern on a website or app, like what navigational path they take, where they click on a page, etc.</span></li>



<li><b>Attitudinal research</b> helps find the user&#8217;s feelings regarding an experience with the company&#8217;s product and services.</li>
</ul>



<p>If you are new to UX research, this <a href="https://octet.design/journal/ux-research-process-for-beginners/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beginner’s guide to UX research process</a> will help you thoroughly understand the same.</p>



<p>These are some key responsibilities of a UX researcher, and however, the job responsibilities of UX research vary from company to brand. If you want to see the job description, you can browse through the template for UX researchers posted by Toptal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to become a UX researcher?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="766" height="381" src="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/3_UX-research-techniques.png" alt="UX research techniques" class="wp-image-5889" srcset="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/3_UX-research-techniques.png 766w, https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/3_UX-research-techniques-300x149.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px" /></figure>



<p></p>



<p>We often find ourselves in a dilemma where we know what we want and where we want to go, but we do not know how to go to our desired destination.</p>



<p>If you think you do not know how to begin your journey as a UX Researcher, then we&#8217;ll guide you to reach your destined goal.</p>



<p>Here are the milestones that you need to achieve to become a professional and skilled UX Researcher:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mention the problem or design challenge you solved with your research</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mention the techniques used to conduct the research and analyze the data.&nbsp;</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can even highlight the problems faced during the research and how effectively you overcame the barrier.&nbsp;</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">A summary of the research project&nbsp;</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">And do not forget to mention the results.</span></li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. Gain the knowledge</h3>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before stepping into the swimming pool, it is essential to do some warm-up exercises. Being familiar with all the tools and concepts used in UX research is necessary. The Internet has everything for you; you can get access to free resources and online courses to master UX research skills. </span></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. Work on your user research skills</h3>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After learning about the concepts and methods to perform UX research, try to use the knowledge on different platforms to gain confidence and more control over your skills.&nbsp; </span></p>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can obtain professional certificates and enroll in UX research courses for specialization. Moreover, you can work on projects like </span><a href="https://octet.design/journal/tips-for-designers-for-ux-a-b-testing/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">carrying out A/B testing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> or analysing UX survey data to enhance your skills. </span></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. Develop your Portfolio</h3>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is essential to build a strong and integrated portfolio because your <a href="https://octet.design/journal/assess-ui-ux-designers-portfolio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">portfolio</a> speaks more about your achievements and skills. Highlight the vital things that make you different from the crowd, like:  </span></p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mention the problem or design challenge you solved with your research</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mention the techniques used to conduct the research and analyze the data.&nbsp;</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can even highlight the problems faced during the research and how effectively you overcame the barrier.&nbsp;</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">A summary of the research project&nbsp;</span></li>



<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">And do not forget to mention the results.&nbsp;</span></li>
</ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. Build your network</h3>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your network will help you to learn what is trending in the world and will give you a fresh and new perspective to solve problems. </span></p>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/build-a-network" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">build your network</a> by attending conferences and meetings regarding developments in UX research. Look forward to meeting the pioneering people in the emerging-tech industry. People and the world have the power to teach you things in a way that books would never do.</span></p>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To become a UX researcher, you do not need to worry about your major subjects. In UX research, theoretical knowledge stays far, and practical knowledge is what comes into use. So, you do not need a special educational background to become a UX researcher.</span></p>



<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you have a technology and behavioural sciences degree, everything works, but all you need is the skills and determination to become a <a href="https://www.springboard.com/blog/design/becoming-a-ux-researcher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">UX professional researcher</a>. </span></p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h3>



<p>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, is essential to <a href="https://octet.design/journal/become-ux-researcher/">becoming a UX researcher</a> yourself.</p>



<p>Overall, the value of understanding the needs of the customer cannot be ignored, and <a href="https://octet.design/journal/user-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">user experience</a> researchers will have an increasingly valuable role to play in the future of design.</p>



<p></p>
<footer class="author-bio-section" ><div class="author-flex"><div class="author-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="90" height="90" src="https://octet-gatsby.in2.cdn-alpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/B612_20240824_012219_629-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-90x90 size-90x90" alt="" /></div><div class="author-info"><div class="author-name"><strong>Ayushi Verma</strong></div><p class="author-bio">Ayushi Verma brings years of dedicated experience in UI UX design, fueled by a passion for crafting intuitive and engaging user experiences. Currently working at Octet Design Studio, she is committed to pushing the boundaries of design to develop innovative solutions that delight users and address complex problems. 

&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;

Ayushi’s goal is to continuously evolve her skills and contribute to impactful projects. She envisions shaping user experiences that are both functional and aesthetically compelling. Focusing on blending functionality with visual appeal, Ayushi consistently delivers designs that meet user needs while reflecting the latest advancements in the field.
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