Task-based User Research: Understanding User Goals and Behaviours

Task-based User Research involves observing and studying users as they perform specific tasks or scenarios within a product or interface. The goal is to understand user behaviours, motivations, and challenges when interacting with a system to accomplish their goals.

During task-based user research, participants are given predefined tasks to complete while researchers observe and collect data on their actions, decision-making processes, and feedback. This research method allows UX professionals to gain insights into how users approach and navigate through a product, identify usability issues, and validate design decisions.

Task-based user research can take various forms, such as moderated usability testing sessions, unmoderated remote studies, or contextual inquiries. The tasks assigned to participants should be representative of real-world user goals and scenarios.

By conducting task-based user research, UX professionals gain a deeper understanding of user needs and behaviours. The insights gathered inform the design process, enabling the creation of user-centred experiences that align with user expectations and optimize task completion.