How are you? It’s been a while since we chatted but I bet you’ve been working on some cool stuff. To make sure you’re gonna rock all of your projects, and keep your head in the UXR game, I wanted to share some exciting user research-related news and inspiration with you.

FIRST AND FOREMOST

If you completed one of my User Research Workshops or Bootcamps at General Assembly prior to June 1st, I'd like to invite you to audit an upcoming class of the same type. I’d be thrilled to have you back in the saddle and reap the benefits of the feedback you provided to improve the class materials and tools. They've evolved tremendously thanks to you! Just email me when you'd like to come.

CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CLASSROOM

A few weeks ago my students and I were talking about how to evaluate when you’re ready to actually start conducting a study. So, of course, I drafted a checklist of sorts and posted it on LinkedIn to gather feedback. I’ve got a decent working draft now and I’d love your thoughts on it too. Shoot me an email if you’re interested, please. Not a LinkedIn fan? I repurposed all of my posts and they are now on my website too.

OUR TERMS CAN BE SUPER CONFUSING

• Let’s face it, the terms we use can be a cluster****. But they are important. Do you know the difference between user research, user testing and a usability test? If you don't, look ‘em up. It's a very big difference. I can tell immediately how seasoned you are by the way you use our terms. Precision is extremely important.

• Here’s a term for you to ponder this week: Diary study. It’s a research method where people report on their behaviors and or actions over a period of time. It’s useful to get a sense of how a product, service and experience plays out over an extended period. We call this a longitudinal study.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITY

• And speaking of confusion, I’ve compiled a list of 100 UX/UI/UXR/Design-related terms. I'm looking for several volunteers to help define them by crowd-sourcing. We’d all benefit from a shared vocabulary and our teammates and clients would reap the benefits as well!

• Are you interested in defining a term? Taking a first pass at a term (or twenty)? How about working on a team with other user researchers and designers to grow that network? GREAT! It’s kicking off next week. Email me to get on the list, stat!

• NOTE: I'm interested in people contributing that represent various levels of expertise. This will create a richer experience and provide an opportunity for new practitioners to learn from more established researchers as the definitions unfold, and vice versa.

COMING SOON!

• Awesome teaching updates. New fall classes, programs and venues, oh my!

• Meanwhile, I’ve been asked to collect testimonials to help promote the new classes. Please take a moment to share your thoughts on your class or other experiences with me. Share what you learned, what was most memorable or helpful, something about the vibe, other takeaways, you name it. I’d be so appreciative. You can add those thoughts in this 10 question survey. It will also allow me to get to know you better so I can tailor the samples I share and new activities I create around your interests!

SPEAK UP, GET INVOLVED AND SHARE THE LOVE

• Provide feedback on the Checklist to Assess Your Readiness to Launch a Study. Email to request a copy.

• Forward this email to someone who you think might enjoy it. Better yet, sign them up here. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.

And that’s a wrap! My first official newsletter-y-email-communication-musing-thingy! I’d love to hear your thoughts.