Why UX Research Matters, and How To Do It.
Digital Humanities professionals understand the importance of clear communication. Without communication, individuals would remain isolated, cut off from a greater understanding of the human experience. Speaking, writing, and reading are the vessels that connect people. Just as important is visual communication. Confusing sites, apps, and other digital tools block the flow of information, cutting the user off from important and enriching experiences. That’s why getting it right is essential to every Digital Humanities project, and the way to get it right is user experience research.
User experience research (UXR) can be split into two types of research. The first is learning how people interact with digital projects. The second is learning what the user needs and values. Using both is key to making the right projects for the people you hope to reach. It ensures that before investing time and resources, design decisions are grounded in real human needs.
What is UXR in Practice?
- Talking to real users about their experience with the project. (User interviews)
- Asking users to complete tasks on your site or tool. (Usability testing)
- Examining site usage data for patterns. (Analytics review)
- Surveys and feedback forms.
Why Should Digital Humanities Projects do UXR?
Digital humanities projects aim to reach many different audiences, such as the public, fellow researchers, or students. Due to each audience having different needs, projects will become clunky and ineffective if design choices do not consider each unique audience. Even the most beautiful site will frustrate users that cannot navigate or understand its value. UX research catches and prevents these issues before they manifest.
UX research will help you:
- Reach your audience more effectively. Are visitors confused by your homepage? Are students struggling to access your archive? Usability testing, interviews, and analytics reviews uncover these issues.
- Make better design decisions. Want to add a new feature? Test it first. Surveys and feedback forms tell you what users want and expect.
- Save time and money. Early feedback can prevent costly redesigns down the line.
- Create more equitable and inclusive experiences. User testing can reveal where certain users struggle and are unintentionally excluded.
Starting doesn’t require a full research team or fancy tools. Here are a few simple ways to begin:
- Talk to your users. Set up short conversations with people who use (or might use) your project. Ask what they like, what confuses them, and what they wish they could do. When possible, compensate them for their time.
- Observe a user interacting with your project. Watch where they click, when they hesitate, and what they skip. Users will often act in unexpected ways that help inform the next iteration of your project’s interface.
- Add a feedback form to your site or project. Ask “Was this helpful?”, “What could we improve?, or “Which of these features would you most value?”
- Use tools like Google Analytics or Hotjar to find where users get stuck. Those spots are where you should look first to make changes.
At the core, UX research is about asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully. For scholars who are used to research, it’s a natural fit. Whether a site, app, or another digital experience, UXR is essential to ensuring they function and add value to the world.