- How long do user research projects take?
- How much do user research projects cost?
- What research methods do you use?
- How many participants do you involve in research?
- How do you get hold of participants for user research?
- Do you only do research?
- How involved do you need us to be?
- What deliverables do we get from you?
- Can you provide client references?
- Can you handle international user research projects?
- How many people work on each project?
- Do you have your own usability testing and viewing facilities?
- Are you part of a larger group of companies?
- Where are you based?
- What qualifications do I need to work for new experience?
- How do you ensure effective project management?
- What sectors do your work in?
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1. How long do user research projects take?
Ethnographic research projects usually take 5-8 weeks. Usability and participatory design projects 2-4 weeks although they can involve successive rounds of research. We need about 7 working days to recruit participants before we can start any fieldwork. Normally we work on a fixed time, fixed price basis.
2. How much do user research projects cost?
This depends on the type of project, what methods we are using and the number of research participants. Normally we work on a fixed time, fixed price basis.
To find out more, call Simon Rubens on +44 20 3538 8664.
3. What research methods do you use?
Our methods are qualitiative and come from anthropology and human-computer interaction (HCI) rather than from market research. We use anthropology-derived ethnographic methods such as guerrilla observation, shadowing, self-reporting and contextual interviews. Our HCI-based methods include concept development workshops, card sorting and usability testing.
4. How many participants do you involve in research?
We typically recruit 8-12 participants per country. We will agree with you profiles and a screener to ensure participants accurately reflect your key audience segments. The numbers may seem small but that is because we are looking to identify important attitudes and behaviours rather than measure how many times these crop up in a population.
5. How do you get hold of participants for user research?
Usually we use a third-party agency that specialises in recruiting participants from its own extensive, UK-wide database. Where appropriate we can also recruit from our clients’ customer lists.
No, we often work with our clients to translate our research findings into product and service concepts, use cases, personas and information architecture.
7. How involved do you need us to be?
We like to work in close collaboration with you throughout a project but we recognise your time is limited. We will set up a dedicated project extranet at the start of a project to provide visibility for all documents and data.
As a minimum we require your participation in a kick-off workshop and our findings presentation. Ideally you will view some research while it is happening and perhaps attend an internal data review session.
8. What deliverables do we get from you?
During ethnographic fieldwork we create regular 'mini reports' on each participant. We video all research for you to refer to in digital format and, when requested, create edited highlights. Most final deliverables are PowerPoint presentations. If you want to inspire your whole team to buy into the research results, we can facilitate 'opportunity development' workshops at your offices.
9. Can you provide client references?
Yes, we are happy to give you contact details for clients you can talk to.
To find out more, call Simon Rubens on +44 20 3538 8664.
10. Can you handle international user research projects?
Yes. We have successfully managed international research projects for Orange, Hutchison Whampoa and Vodafone. We have close working relationships with consultants in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, USA, South America and Asia. If you need to include other countries we will be able to find suitable partners.
11. How many people work on each project?
A typical project involves 2-3 consultants, more when other countries are involved.
12. Do you have your own usability testing and viewing facilities?
Yes. At our West London offices we have facilities for participatory design workshops, and usability testing that clients can view from another room or remotely via a webcast.
13. Are you part of a larger group of companies?
No, we are a nimble, privately owned company that has been trading since 2003.
Our offices are in West London. You can reach us by Underground or by car.
Download a map and directions.
15. What qualifications do I need to work for new experience?
You would need Masters or a PhD in a social science discipline such as psychology, anthropology, ergonomics or human-computer interaction. We are a growing company and are looking to recruit a senior research consultant.
To find out more, call Simon Rubens on +44 20 3538 8664.
16. How do you ensure effective project management?
We plan projects carefully from the start and we make use of a dedicated project extranet for document sharing and communications, creating a clear audit trail of decisions and document approval.
See also: How we work
17. What sectors do your work in?
We mostly help clients develop technology-based products and services in telecommunications, financial services, retail, entertainment and leisure and public sector.
To find out more, call Simon Rubens on +44 20 3538 8664.
