Think Like a Detective

Never, ever, ever, act on assumptions. Search out the facts and act on those. Facts and evidence, not guesswork and assumptions. That’s how to think like a detective — Sherlock Holmes

Currently reading the book “Think like a UX Researcher”

Think like a Detective

In the world of UX research, thinking like a detective can be a game changer. Both detective work and research involve investigation, tracking down evidence, and using that evidence to arrive at a solution. By following Sherlock Holmes’ method of 1. understanding the problem, 2. collecting facts, 3. developing hypotheses, 4. eliminating unlikely hypotheses, and 5. taking action on the solution, we can improve our UX research skills and create more effective user experiences.

One of the key takeaways from this method is the importance of observation. Instead of relying on people’s reports, which can be unreliable, careful observation allows us to understand the reality of how people work and identify unmet user needs.

Another important aspect is the focus on questions over answers. As researchers, questions are full of mystery and possibilities and can take our thinking in new and unexpected directions, whereas answers tend to bring everything to a halt. A good researcher is always wondering what the next question is, and leaves nothing to guesswork.

In the end, eliminating potential solutions is a high-stakes game, and the evidence put forward in favor of one solution versus another must be compelling. This is nothing new for detective work but “strength of evidence” seems to be rarely considered in UX research. Evidence for or against a solution must be reliable, valid, and unbiased.

By adopting a detective-like mindset in our research, we can uncover new insights and opportunities to create better user experiences. #UXresearch #detectivemethods #SherlockHolmes”

Holmes himself could not have put it better: Never, ever, ever, act on assumptions. Search out the facts and act on those. Facts and evidence, not guesswork and assumptions. That’s how to think like a detective.