🗞 Elevate your mixed methods research

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😌 Humans of User Research with Trevor Calabro

Hi Trevor, tell us a little about yourself!
Hi all! I'm Trevor, a mixed-methods UX Researcher with over 15 years of experience, having led research at big tech companies, mid-sized software firms, and startups. Early on, I developed a passion for qualitative research and spent nearly 9 years at Minitab, home of the world's leading statistical software (I like to say it was like getting trained at the X-Men school of stats). Now, I focus on creating custom research systems tailored to each team's needs, avoiding cookie-cutter approaches. Outside of work, I help shape the UX curriculum at Penn State University and do pro bono UX research for local nonprofits. I live at Penn State with my spouse and two kids.

How do you balance the need for quantitative versus qualitative insights in your work?
Over the years, I've developed a 2-Step Philosophy for conducting UX research. I see it as a spectrum, with qualitative methods on one end and quantitative on the other. As these methods blend toward the center, they adapt to what the project needs in real-time. The second step involves picking the "right" next method as insights start to unfold. Begin with real data to test initial hypotheses and then strategically choose subsequent research methods in a Bayesian way. This method ensures each project is custom-tailored, systematic, user-centered, and driven by data, steering clear of any rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. It’s all about being flexible and following where the insights lead.

What’s one unconventional method you’ve used in your research that surprisingly worked well?
One unconventional yet surprisingly effective method I’ve used is conducting mini, moderated usability tests at trade shows. These are not only super fun to conduct but also provide a great way to interact with a lot of users in a short amount of time. Trade shows offer a dynamic, energetic setting where a captive audience of real users is ready and willing to engage. By breaking down standard usability tests into smaller, 15-minute segments—what I call "mini-tests"—I can maximize insights gathering during the brief windows of downtime at the trade show. For more detailed tips on how to make the most of these tests at trade shows, check out my blog post: 6 Tips for Usability Testing at Trade Shows.

How can people learn more about you and your work?
I write a weekly, in-depth blog called UX Research in the Wild, where I share free tools, tips, and hot takes on doing UX research in the real world. If that sounds interesting, I encourage you to check it out. I’m also very active on LinkedIn, so feel free to connect and message me there.

Thank you, Trevor!

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🗓 UserCalendar: Upcoming Events.

Securing Stakeholder Buy-In for UX Research: Practical Tips (Free)
September 26 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT
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