What are the best ways to conduct user research for users with cognitive differences?

1 Define your research goals and questions

Before you start your user research, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn from your users, and how you will measure it. You also need to consider how your research goals and questions align with the specific cognitive differences of your users, and how they might affect their responses. For example, if you want to test the usability of a website, you might need to adjust your tasks and scenarios to account for the reading difficulties of users with dyslexia, or the attention span of users with ADHD. You might also need to use different methods and tools to collect and analyze your data, such as audio or video recordings, eye-tracking, or biometric sensors.

2 Recruit and screen your participants

Finding and selecting the right participants for your user research is another important step, as you want to ensure that your sample is representative and diverse. You also want to make sure that your participants are comfortable and willing to participate in your research, and that they understand the purpose and process of your study. To do this, you need to use appropriate recruitment and screening methods, such as online surveys, phone interviews, or referrals from organizations or communities that work with people with cognitive differences. You also need to provide clear and accessible information about your research, such as the consent form, the confidentiality agreement, and the incentives.

3 Prepare your research environment and materials

The environment and materials that you use for your user research can have a significant impact on the quality and validity of your results, especially when dealing with users with cognitive differences. You need to ensure that your research environment is comfortable, safe, and distraction-free, and that it accommodates the needs and preferences of your users. For example, you might need to adjust the lighting, the temperature, the noise level, or the furniture of your research space, or offer headphones, fidget toys, or snacks to your users. You also need to prepare your research materials, such as the prototypes, the scripts, the questions, or the feedback forms, and make sure that they are accessible, understandable, and engaging for your users. For example, you might need to use simple language, large fonts, images, icons, or colors to communicate your messages, or provide multiple options or formats for your users to express their opinions.

5 Analyze and interpret your data

After you collect your data from your user research, you need to analyze and interpret it to extract meaningful insights and findings. You also need to ensure that your analysis and interpretation are accurate, objective, and respectful of the diversity and complexity of your users. To do this, you need to use appropriate data analysis methods and tools, such as thematic analysis, affinity diagramming, or personas. You also need to triangulate your data from different sources and methods, such as quantitative and qualitative data, or observations and interviews. You also need to involve your users in the analysis and interpretation process, and ask for their feedback and validation of your results.

6 Communicate and apply your results

The final step of your user research is to communicate and apply your results to inform and improve your design decisions and solutions. You also need to ensure that your communication and application are clear, relevant, and actionable, and that they reflect the needs and preferences of your users with cognitive differences. To do this, you need to use appropriate communication and application methods and tools, such as reports, presentations, or prototypes. You also need to use accessible and inclusive language and visuals, such as plain English, bullet points, or graphs. You also need to involve your users in the communication and application process, and ask for their input and feedback on your design solutions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?