Beyond the Usability Lab

1.3. Combining Online Usability Studies with Other User Research Methods

Using more than one user research method during a project provides a more complete and reliable picture of the entire user experience. There are four different user research methods that are excellent complements to online usability studies: lab usability testing, expert reviews, focus groups, and Web traffic analysis. Each method can effectively be used before or after an online usability study. Table 1.1 summarizes the strengths and limitations of each of these methods.

Table 1.1. How Common User Research Methods Compare Among Key Characteristics

Method	Sample Size	Native Environment	Task Data (success, time, etc)	Preference/Attitudinal Data	Asking Follow-up Questions ...