The Handbook of Global User Research

Chapter 9. The impact of culture on user research

Thomas Visby Snitker

9.1. Introduction: How Culture Impacts User Research

In recent years, interest in the field of user research has grown, from academia and practitioners, in all areas of the world. The influence of culture on user research has received much attention without much in the way of theory to support it. The user research is often focused on a specific product or service or on the cultural acceptance of a product in a specific context or culture – not just how the Web site works for a Chinese user but also if the Chinese user wants this Web site and how it fits a purpose and answers a need in a Chinese context. The complexities of accounting for culture are daunting to many user researchers; ...