Week 14 Guide: Advanced Research Methods
24-week programme, Project 2 Phase.
The Real Problem This Solves
One method gives one angle, and one angle can mislead. Interviews tell you what people say, observation tells you what they do, desk research tells you what is already known, and precedent analysis tells you what has been tried. Combining methods, called triangulation, gives a more reliable picture and exposes where your assumptions are wrong.
The Four Methods
| Method | What it reveals | How to do it well |
|---|---|---|
| Interviews | Experiences, needs, and language of your users | Ask about real recent events, not opinions. Interview both stakeholders. |
| Observation | What people actually do, versus what they say | Watch a real handover or session. Photograph the situation. |
| Desk research | What is already known and standard | Save credible sources and standard measurements. Note the source. |
| Precedent analysis | What existing designs get right and wrong | Analyse two or three real products or spaces against your constraints. |
Key Ideas You Need First
1. Triangulate to reduce bias
When two or more methods point the same way, you can trust the finding. When they disagree, you have found something worth investigating.
2. Record sources
At this level, note where each finding came from. It makes your case study credible and lets you check it later.
Tools And Materials Needed
- The Advanced Research Template.
- Your Project 2 brief and stakeholders.
- Interview Question Starter Pack for the interview method.
Step-By-Step Walkthrough
- Plan which method answers which question. Match each research question to the best method.
- Run at least three methods. Interviews with both stakeholders, one observation, and desk or precedent research.
- Record findings with sources on the template.
- Synthesise. Note where methods agree (trust it) and where they disagree (investigate it).
- Write three advanced insights that feed your Week 15 strategy.
Demonstrated Example
Interview: both desk-sharers say the reset between them is the daily flashpoint.
Observation: the handover actually took four minutes, not the one minute they claimed. Methods disagree, so this is the real problem.
Desk research: standard desk depth means a full second toolset will not fit alongside the first.
Precedent: two shared-desk products hide everything away, which the interviews said causes forgotten tools.
Synthesis: the reset is slower than users think and storage cannot simply double. Insight: the design must make a fast, partial reset, not a full pack-away.
Why this is strong: methods are combined, a say-do gap is caught, and the insight is grounded in several sources.
Your Task This Week
- Run at least three research methods on your Project 2 problem.
- Record findings with sources on the template.
- Synthesise agreements and disagreements into three advanced insights.
Submission Checklist
| Upload item | Pass standard |
|---|---|
| Advanced research template | Findings from three or more methods, with sources. |
| Synthesis | Names where methods agree and disagree. |
| Three advanced insights | Grounded in more than one method. |
Assessment And Pass Criteria
- At least three methods were used, including both stakeholders.
- Findings are recorded with sources.
- The synthesis uses agreement and disagreement, not a single source.
Common Mistakes
- One method only. One angle can mislead. Combine at least three.
- No sources. Unsourced findings are not credible at this level.
- Ignoring disagreements. A say-do gap is a finding, not a nuisance.
Extension Challenge
Add a small survey to reach more people quickly, and compare its pattern with your interviews.