‘Rest it and test it’ is a poster about writing by me and illustrator Julia Allum. Rest it: leave it alone for a few hours When you’re writing – web, print, whatever – and you care about the outcome, it’sContinue reading… Rest it and test it – poster
Blog
Intercom interview on designing surveys that work
It was a pleasure to share my thoughts on surveys themes with Liam Geraghty, of the Intercom podcast. We chatted about: Why catching people in the moment, rather than days later, is the best way to get quick, accurate results.Continue reading… Intercom interview on designing surveys that work
Do not use “reading age” when thinking about adults
Let’s try a thought-experiment. We’re in a park. Three people are playing soccer. One of them, 20, yells “You kick like an 8 year old!” at the other two – but it’s not clear which one. The 4-year old beamsContinue reading… Do not use “reading age” when thinking about adults
Thank you Gerry Gaffney for UXpod
I’ve been an enthusiastic listener to Gerry Gaffney’s podcast, UXpod, and was honoured to be a guest more than once. I was sad when he mentioned that he had decided to stop doing it – but a bit happier whenContinue reading… Thank you Gerry Gaffney for UXpod
It is OK to stop reading a book (Book review: The Grammar of Science by Karl Pearson)
Karl Pearson, 1857-1936, was a professor of applied mathematics and mechanics. He was one of the major figures in statistics, especially medical statistics. Depressingly, he was also a eugenicist and racist – two things that I regret that I overlookedContinue reading… It is OK to stop reading a book (Book review: The Grammar of Science by Karl Pearson)
Some thoughts on surveys: Boye and Company member conference call
It was a pleasure to re-connect with Janus Boye after a gap of more than a decade. I last worked with Boye and Company in 2011 when I attended the JBoye conference in Aarhus Denmark to give talks on surveysContinue reading… Some thoughts on surveys: Boye and Company member conference call
A research incentive for a colleague
The other day, Alex Slowman asked a question about how to recompense colleagues for their time when they help us in user research activities, but it’s not appropriate to pay a financial incentive. I’ve found that a thank-you to theContinue reading… A research incentive for a colleague
Thinking about surveys of patients with Loyal
How do we ask people about their experiences of healthcare? That was the theme of a survey studio that I did for Loyal earlier this year. Loyal is a healthcare business in the USA, and I worked with Amira PettusContinue reading… Thinking about surveys of patients with Loyal
How to share research in design systems
This post is co-authored by Amy Hupe, Ignacia Orellana, and Caroline Jarrett. “Use this because we said so” is not a convincing strategy for building trust with designers and developers who want to, need to, or are told to, useContinue reading… How to share research in design systems
Use your plain language skills to improve your survey
Plain language skills are vital for surveys. If people can easily understand your questions, then that will help them to give accurate answers. And plain language specialists are constantly thinking about their audience and its needs – which is vitalContinue reading… Use your plain language skills to improve your survey