User Research

Digital Humanities professionals are no strangers to research. Gathering data, analyzing patterns, interpreting meaning, and contextualizing findings are all familiar practices. But when it comes to building digital tools, how often do we apply that same rigor to understanding our users? 

User experience research (UXR) is the process of learning how people interact with your digital product. Understanding what they need and value is how we ensure we’re not just making products, but making the right products in the right way for the people we’re hoping to reach.

UXR can help us understand the goals, behaviors, and challenges of the people using our products. It’s a great way to test our assumptions before investing time and resources, and ultimately, it derisks projects by ensuring that design decisions are grounded in real human needs. 

What is UXR?

There are many ways to conduct user research. Some of the most popular methods include:

  • User interviews (talking to actual users about their experience)
  • Usability testing (asking users to complete tasks on your site or tool)
  • Surveys and feedback forms (gathering broader insights)
  • Analytics review (examining site usage data to see patterns)
Why Should Digital Humanities Projects Do UXR?

Many digital humanities projects aim to reach fellow researchers, students, and, often, a public audience. But even the most beautifully built site can fall flat if users don’t know how to navigate it or understand its value. UX research helps you:

  • Reach your audience more effectively. Are visitors confused by your homepage? Are students struggling to access your archive? UX research uncovers these issues.
  • Make better design decisions. Want to add a new feature? Test it first. UX research helps prioritize what’s worth building.
  • Save time and money. Do users have problems finding what they need quickly and easily?  UX research can provide early feedback which prevents costly redesigns down the line. 
  • Create more equitable and inclusive experiences. Do all users feel welcome using your site or product? UX research can reveal where certain users are unintentionally excluded.
How To…

You don’t need a big research team or fancy tools to start. Here are a few simple ways to begin:

  • Talk to your users. Set up short conversations with people who use (or might use) your site. Ask what they like, what confuses them, and what they wish they could do. Compensate them for their time when possible.
  • Observe someone using your site. Watch where they click, where they hesitate, what they skip.
  • Add a feedback form to your site or project. Ask “Was this helpful?” or “What could we improve?”
  • Use analytics. Tools like Google Analytics or Hotjar can show you where users drop off or get stuck.
Conclusion

At its core, UX research is about asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully. It’s a natural fit for scholars used to research. UX research isn’t just for tech companies. It’s for anyone building digital tools for real people, including scholars and practitioners in the digital humanities.