Triangulation in UX
One of the main problems that can arise in user experience research is that the samples that are used are not representative, or the tests that are carried out are not sufficient to draw conclusions that can be applied to other phases of product design.
How can we make our research representative? The solution to this problem is triangulation: using different research techniques or methods to obtain specific and actionable results.
Considering that no research method is free of limitations, the best way to avoid them is to use different techniques to check that the results are consistent with each other. The key point of triangulation is to look for different points of view to verify the results and to take advantage of all the benefits of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
When do we have to perform a triangulation?
In our work, triangulation is an essential part of any research strategy, as it is the best way to ensure that the results we obtain are contrasted.
If the decision to be taken is more important, it is also more critical to perform triangulation. By doing so, we can be more confident that we have made the right decision, because it will have been duly contrasted using different methods.
However, for simpler decisions that do not require as much depth in an investigation, we can skip this technique. First, because an experienced team will know the right decisions in a short investigation day. And, second, because it has an impact on the budget.
How can we use triangulation in user experience?
Since the objective of triangulation is to contrast the results and allow us to understand them perfectly, in Torresburriel Estudio we apply it in cases such as the following:
- If we perform a usability test that identifies, for example, that a newsletter subscription form is not working, we can use techniques such as user session recordings to understand why it is not working.
- If we detect on our website that a particular page has a very high bounce rate, we will have to investigate the reasons and then test possible solutions before implementing them.
- If a survey suggests a particular pattern of responses, we should conduct interviews (or use other methods) to make sure we understand the pattern and what the reasons are.
We encourage you to use triangulation to make the most important and definitive decisions about your product in the best possible way, increasing the guarantees of success.
This article is a translation of the following one published on our corporate website:
