Beyond Talking to Users: The Overlooked Power of Proper Desk Research | HackerNoon
Briefly

In the past year, the complaint that user research is too resource-intensive has been common; however, desk research is often overlooked by product teams. Desk research includes collecting existing information such as published reports and internet resources, which is often more accessible than primary user interviews. The misconception that it is purely market-focused undermines its application in user-centered design. Addressing this gap could enhance user understanding significantly, especially for those new to a domain or unable to access survey participants. By integrating desk research effectively, design teams can streamline their research processes.
Desk research can save time and resources while significantly enhancing user research outcomes, yet many product teams overlook it in favor of direct user interviews.
Properly executed desk research serves as a preliminary step that can complement or even replace the need for more resource-intensive user research methods.
The perception of 'market' in desk research may mislead teams into underestimating its value for product improvement and understanding user needs comprehensively.
Companies often prioritize user interviews due to bootcamp training, overlooking how desk research can effectively address initial research misconceptions and gap-filling.
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