Summary
The pros and cons of democratizing user research are heavily debated. Often this is seen as a black and white scenario where we are solely in favour or against it. But what about all the shades of grey we can explore? Depending on the situation there are both benefits and dangers that lie in democratizing our research practice. Kathleen will share her experience with research democratization. Based on this she will show a framework that will help you assess when it is an appropriate tool to further research maturity and when it might derail you.
Key Insights
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Research democratization empowers non-researchers to conduct research and gain insights.
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It's crucial to recognize the potential pitfalls of research democratization, including poor-quality research and administrative burdens.
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A framework assessing research maturity and presence can guide organizations in their democratization efforts.
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Involving team members in the research process can enhance understanding and improve collaboration.
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Engaging stakeholders early in research discussions can help integrate broader perspectives and insights into the process.
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Democratization is not a solution for everyone; context matters in its application.
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Sharing knowledge can bolster professional development and help alleviate feelings of imposter syndrome.
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The quality of insights can vary based on the level of training and experience of those conducting research.
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Research democratization requires ongoing support and resources to be effective, especially in larger organizations.
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Allowing team members to experiment with research fosters greater empathy and understanding of user needs.
Notable Quotes
"Research democratization is all about empowering people who are not researchers to start doing research themselves."
"If you have to choose between doing bad research or no research at all, you're better off not doing it."
"Democratization can be used in quite an arrogant way if we say 'let others do research so we can pick and take what we think is most fun.'"
"Doing research with people helps them understand their audience better and creates a connection."
"Just because we say research needs to happen earlier doesn’t always mean it will."
"When you start sharing your craft, others begin to understand how hard it is to ask the right questions."
"Involving the whole team in research can create better discussions and implementation of insights."
"Research starts happening in silence when teams do not share insights widely."
"The idea that democratizing research will give you more time for strategic work is a fallacy."
"People will understand the value of insights when they do research themselves firsthand."
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