Why do so many companies' research projects fail? And why do even the best corporations sometimes struggle to make good use of their research data?
Strangely enough, no text on user research has tackled these questions-until now. Ignite Your Research Mojo is the first book designed expressly to focus on the factors that can spell success or failure when researching end user needs and behaviors. It was written for professionals of all experience levels seeking to contribute work that is actually used.
Beginning with a section geared to anyone who wants to do good research, the book tackles fundamental questions such as why you should do user research (even though Steve Jobs probably didn't) and how to formulate hypotheses. The second section addresses how to be an effective researcher, including recognizing and avoiding bad research, incorporating the power of emotions in product design, and eschewing "fun" deliverables that make your product team cry. The final section focuses on factors that make for successful (or unsuccessful) user research, including company culture, team organization, interpersonal abilities, and product-development philosophies.
With its laid-back, humorous authorial style and whimsical illustrations, Ignite Your Research Mojo breathes fresh air into the world of professional development.
About the Author: Dilip Chetan is a researcher, strategist, consultant, and a thought leader in the field of insights generation. He holds a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering and master's degrees in computer science, business administration, and human factors psychology.
Over the course of his career, Chetan has managed design and research teams and conducted user research for all facets of product development. He has assisted in implementing best practices, mentored new researchers, hosted workshops on decision-making with top executives, and helped nurture corporate cultures where evidence-based product development is valued. An avid researcher, he has conducted studies on a variety of topics, including the impact of loud, aggressive music on driving and the effects of sudden exposure to exploding fireworks on people's skin-conductance levels.
Chetan lives in California with his wife and twin children.
