Better together: How market research and UX research support product and service development

User experience (UX) research and market research are two important disciplines that are often used in conjunction to inform the design of products and services. Both fields aim to provide insights into the behavior, preferences and needs of consumers, but they approach this goal in different ways.   

Generally, market research involves the collection and analysis of data on consumer attitudes, preferences and buying habits leading to identifying trends, evaluating campaign effectiveness, informing product decisions, etc. UX research focuses on behavior, i.e., how users interact with and experience products and services. This includes conducting user interviews, usability testing and other methods that identify product improvements so that experiences are useful, usable and engaging. 

The key differences lie in objectives and outputs, but the methods (at least for qualitative research) can appear quite similar. The scope of market research (e.g., attitudes) contrasts with that of UX (e.g., behavior). There are times when these objectives intertwine, but the knowledge and skill of the researcher to shape, execute and deliver the results matters a lot. Similarly, each discipline will employ different methods at different points in the product lifecycle – again with different objectives in mind. Too much (or no) emphasis on one can lead to sub-optimal outcomes. At the extremes, with no UX research, a product might be developed based on opinion (e.g., focus groups are a disastrous way to usability feedback).  With no market research, a product might be useful and usable, but not fill the target population’s needs. 

It is important to strike the right balance between the two disciplines. When used together, market research and UX research can provide a comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior and preferences.

Key takeaways:

1. An understanding of the relationship between market research and UX research, and how the two disciplines can be used together to inform the design of products and services.
2. An appreciation of the importance of understanding consumer behavior and preferences in the design process, and how market research and UX research can provide valuable insights in this regard.
3. An awareness of the potential challenges and opportunities that arise when combining market research and UX research, and how to strike a balance between the two in order to create effective and engaging products.

Methodologies Presentation by Supplier Technology