User research

Most companies conduct market research on an ongoing basis. The research helps identify, connect, and expand target audiences by guiding the development, evolution and change of a brand identity. While many of the methods used by marketers and experience designers are similar, their research objectives are complementary and not redundant. A close collaboration between the disciplines benefits both the organizations as well as the final product design.

One difference between marketing and experience research has to do with the number of participants in the research. The number of participants is known as the sample size. There are statistical methods to determine the sample size for a given research activity, which is important in scientific, social, and some commercial research/

Sites like Checkmarket.com, for example, provide calculators that help determine how many survey invites should be sent out, such that the number of those who actually respond, is representative of the...