UXPA Boston 2017: Techniques to ease non-researchers into analysis

TECHNIQUES TO EASE NON-RESEARCHERSINTO RAW DATA ANALYSIS

www.twigandfish.com

Meena Kothandaraman | @meena_koZarla Ludin | @zarlashtah

“I coalesce the vapor of human experience into a viable, and logical, comprehension.”

– MEL BROOKSHISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART I-

STAND-UP PHILOSOPHER

why does analysissmell like bullshit?

discusses sensory experiences

uncovers ambiguous human realities

relies on interpretive processes

who sees analysisas bullshit?

fixate on the silver bullet

expect metrics for everything

look for 1:1 answers

own and organize your research

story arc.3 NAME ambiguous processes.

4 GROOM the work.

1 OBSERVE team interactions.

2 DISARM power postures.

OBSERVE TEAM INTERACTIONS.

Team behaviors and perspectives can impact data analysis.

1

Researchers should isolate or activate the team’s energies.

• Budget time to learn research perspectives and tendencies.

• Vocalize research interests and qualities, and employ them.

• Habituate reflection techniques.

DISARM POWER POSTURES.

Someone will alwaysthink there is no roomfor learning.

2

Researchers should provide a platform for gray areas in analysis.

• Channel concerns into productive discussions.

• Give everyone an equal chance to participate.

• Allow for deviances to explore skepticism.

NAME AMBIGUOUS PROCESSES.

Interpretive processescan result in analysisfeeling undefined.

3

Researchers should socialize the ambiguity, not shy away from it.

• Position each study against a larger research roadmap.

• Create an “analysis experience” that is rigorous and repeatable.

• Deconstruct anecdotes to create emotional connections to data.

GROOM THE WORK.

Integrate the studyfindings into the organizational mindset.

4

Researchers should own the process, not the findings.

• Scrutinize sloppiness and address your own biases in analysis.

• Pivot from storyteller to facilitator of knowledge sharing.

• Distribute the onus of research internalization.

analysis is successful for everyone when there is meaning to the chaos.

thanks + questions#NCredible

Meena Kothandaraman @meena_koZarla Ludin @zarlashtah

www.twigandfish.com