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🗞️ Time estimation for Quant UXR projects

Jan Ahrend
Jan Ahrend
5 min read

Hi there! 👋 Thanks for stopping by. USERWEEKLY is your weekly email to understand what is happening in User Research. It's the best way to keep up on trends, methodologies and insights in UX Research. It is written by me, Jan Ahrend. Each week I capture the pulse of our community and answer a simple question: What mattered in User Research this week?

Hi! Just got back from a bachelor party in the Vosges mountains, France. Catching up with old friends and making new memories was a blast! 🎉
Last week was a no-meeting week, which usually means 2x the meetings the following week. I checked.. I spent 29 out of 32 hours (Friday was off) in meetings! 🫠 Mostly in strategy meetings. Speaking of strategy, this is a great read on strategy! The Product Strategy Stack.

I stumbled upon a bunch of cool stuff on User Research I can't wait to share with you this week. We’ve got an engaging chat with Mingi Chung, a UXR from Amazon Ads. From hypothesis-driven development to the nuances of transitioning from academia to UX research, we’ve got a lineup that’s as informative as it is diverse.

I hope you have a great week!
Jan 😊

Spotlight > Articles > Video > Audio

😌 Humans of User Research with Mingi Chung

Mingi Chung
Mingi Chung

Tell us a little about yourself, Mingi.
Hi! My name is Mingi Chung, a mixed-method researcher with a background in experimental psychology. Currently, I'm based in San Diego, CA, and working as a UXR at Amazon Ads. Since as far back as I can remember, I've had a fascination with understanding and analyzing others’ thoughts and behaviors. As a quirky example, I used to collect 'peer-reviews' from my friends every year from elementary school until junior high. I was fascinated by the differences between self-perception and how others see you, and whether others’ perception of you remains consistent throughout one's life (yes, they were pretty consistent).

What was the highlight of your (work) week?
The highlight of this week was the excellent turnout and high interest in my research readout and research roadmap review. My team was facing a contentious issue involving various stakeholders. My research insights guided the team away from a potentially misguided path and helped us move toward a new direction. As always, experiencing these impactful moments is deeply rewarding and meaningful. Additionally, reviewing my research roadmap for the upcoming year and aligning research priorities with cross-functional stakeholders helped me feel focused and grounded as I enter the new year.

What do you remember most about your first UXR job?
I still vividly remember being pleasantly surprised by the differences between industry and academia, such as work-life balance, witnessing the direct impact of my work in a short amount of time, and compensation. I was very happy with my decision to transition to the industry. I could continue doing what I love most—understanding people's motivations and behaviors—while having an impact on the world and feeling valued for my skills.

How can fellow researchers connect with you to discuss shared interests?
You can connect with me on LinkedIn and ADPList—I love connecting with fellow researchers! Being a mentor on ADPList since last November has been a highly motivating and enjoyable experience. I've connected with diverse researchers, from those transitioning from academia to industry, early-career UX professionals seeking idea exchange, to peer researchers for networking. Also, check out my Instagram account where I share personal experiences and tips on UX research. Although the content is in Korean, as it aims to connect with the UX community in Korea, I'd still love to connect with you there!

Thank you, Mingi!

Spotlight > Articles > Video > Audio

📚 Articles of the Week.

Hypothesis-Based approaches
Debbie Levitt critiques hypothesis-driven development methodologies for often skipping essential research, leading to cycles of failure rather than innovation. She advocates for a return to rigorous, user-centric approaches grounded in the original scientific method to improve outcomes. Debbie Levitt 02/24

Academics as UX Researchers: Learning to let go
Transitioning from academia to UX research? Learn to let go with three key insights in this concise Medium piece, emphasizing the importance of embracing change and adaptation. Michael O'Sullivan 02/22

Research mindshare and presence in tech orgs
Understanding progress toward disseminating and integrating insights. Jake Burghardt 02/22

Time estimation for Quant UXR projects
Quantitative UX Research project timelines are often elusive, but this concise insight shares valuable observations and warns about pitfalls, providing a practical framework for estimating project time. Chris Chapman 02/20

The ‘I wish I had known this before’ of building an insights repository
Condensed from Johanna's ReOps conference talk, this piece delivers actionable takeaways to optimize user experiences, providing essential advice for enhancing your UX research strategies. Johanna Jagow 02/20

Best AI tools for design and research
Explore the impact of generative AI on design and research in our latest piece, uncovering its potential benefits while addressing the crucial question of its role in our profession. Laura Sima 02/15

To make the most out of user research, learn how to preserve your findings
Don’t waste good user research that your team can’t tackle right away. Christopher K Wong 02/14

Spotlight > Articles > Video > Audio

🎥 Video of the Week.

The Chaos Theory of Event Networking with Bryan Dosono of eBay
Discover conference networking strategies with Bryan Dosono, eBay's UX research lead, in this Awkward Silences episode, featuring quick tips on app-based scheduling, prioritizing networking, and fostering spontaneous connections. YouTube 02/22

Spotlight > Articles > Video > Audio

🔉 Audio of the Week.

Jess Holbrook, Director of UXR for AI at Meta
Explore the AI-UX Research intersection with Jess Holbrook, Meta's Director of UXR for AI, in the latest UX Research Rundown episode, offering unique insights into AI's future impact on the field. Spotify Apple 02/26

Happy Researching,
🗞 Jan

PS: I am launching a podcast! The User Weekly podcast will be a companion to the newsletter, featuring discussions on my favorite articles from the newsletter in 15 minute episodes. Follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts to get notified when the first episode airs!