UX Research Cheat Sheet

💡 What is the UX Research Cheat Sheet for Product Managers?

The UX Research Cheat Sheet is a quick-reference visual guide that helps teams select the right user research method for any project — fast.

It simplifies the complexity of research planning by mapping every method across two key dimensions:

• Attitudinal ↔ Behavioral — what people say vs. what they do.

• Qualitative ↔ Quantitative — why vs. how many.

Built for product managers, UX/UI designers, junior researchers, and startup founders, this framework demystifies research and turns it into a clear, visual decision-making tool.

🎯 What problem does it solve?

Teams often struggle to choose the right research method, leading to wasted time or misleading results.

This cheat sheet:

• Clarifies which methods answer which questions.

• Shows when to use them across the product lifecycle (Discover → Define → Develop → Deliver).

• Prevents method misuse — like running a survey to solve a usability issue.

• Creates a shared, visual language for cross-functional teams.

🧭 What’s inside the template

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1. Research Methods Matrix (2×2)

A visual grid plotting methods along two axes:

• Qualitative vs. Quantitative

• Attitudinal vs. Behavioral

Quickly identify which approach suits your current question — whether you’re exploring “Why users do something” or “How many people are affected.”

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2. When to Use Timeline (Double Diamond)

A roadmap showing where each method fits in your design or product process:

• Discover: Interviews, Contextual Inquiry, Diary Studies, Surveys

• Define: Card Sorting, Tree Testing, Journey Mapping

• Develop: Usability Testing, Benchmarking, Analytics Setup

• Deliver: A/B Testing, Post-launch Surveys, Funnel Analysis

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3. Method Cards Library

A library of cards, each summarizing a key research method — like Usability Testing, A/B Testing, or Card Sorting.

Each card includes:

• ✅ What it is

• 🎯 Questions it answers

• 👥 Typical participants

• ⏱ Effort & duration

• ⚠️ Risks & biases to watch

• 📈 Outputs & artifacts

• 🔗 Combine with

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4. Research Plan Lite (Mini Template)

A simple worksheet to define your research goal, hypothesis, and chosen methodology before you begin.

Use this as your kickoff tool for aligning with stakeholders.

🧩 How to use it

1. Start with your research question: What do we need to learn?

2. Use the 2×2 Matrix to choose the right method quadrant.

3. Check the Double Diamond Timeline to find when to run it.

4. Open the corresponding Method Card for step-by-step guidance.

5. Plan your session with the Research Plan Lite sheet.

6. Run your research, synthesize insights, and share outcomes.

⚙️ Who is it for

• Product Managers: Need fast, evidence-based decisions.

• UX/UI Designers: Want to validate ideas early and often.

• Junior Researchers: Looking for structure and clarity.

• Startup Founders: Need efficient, ethical validation loops.

🔒 Ethics & Accessibility

The cheat sheet integrates operational guardrails to maintain high research standards:

• Recruit inclusively and obtain informed consent.

• Keep data secure and anonymized.

• Include participants with disabilities in every cycle.

• Follow ISO 9241-210 (Human-Centered Design) principles.

📚 References

• Nielsen Norman Group — UX Research Cheat Sheet

• GOV.UK Research Methods Guide

• ISO 9241-210: Human-Centered Design for Interactive Systems

📘 FAQs

Q: What’s unique about this version?

A: It combines NN/g’s method map with a Double-Diamond workflow and practical templates — all in one Miro board.

Q: Who can benefit from it?

A: Product teams, designers, and researchers who want clarity, speed, and defensible insights.

Q: How long does it take to use?

A: 10 minutes to pick your method. 1 hour to plan your round. Repeat and iterate weekly.

✨ Outcome

Use the UX Research Cheat Sheet to:

✅ Pick methods faster.

✅ Reduce research bias.

✅ Align teams around real data.

✅ Deliver products grounded in user insight — not guesswork.