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What is Applied Product Research?
This is not a term that comes up often, but I like it because it encompasses a broad sensibility and can be applied to the concept of product research in a way that is indifferent to the technology or type of product.Product research has transformed from a reactive, marketing-driven practice to a proactive, strategic discipline that shapes product decisions.
It integrates user insights, behavioral data, and continuous feedback loops to create products that truly meet user needs.
As digital products grow more complex, product research will continue to evolve beyond screens, blending AI, behavioral science, and real-time data to drive innovation and impact.
Customer Experience (CX) Focus
Product research expanded beyond usability, considering the end-to-end customer journey and emotional impact.
Inclusive and Ethical Research
The field now prioritizes inclusive, accessible, and ethical research practices to avoid biases and ensure fair experiences.
Modern Applied Product Research
Product research has evolved to address the complexity of digital products, services, and ecosystems.The focus is on from gathering vivid insights to driving product strategy and innovation.
Mixed-Method Research, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods became standard. Researchers used tools like A/B testing, user interviews, journey mapping, and analytics.
Continuous Discovery
Teams adopted continuous discovery practices, embedding research into the entire product lifecycle to adapt quickly to user needs.
Behavioral Analytics and Data-Driven Insights
Product research increasingly relied on behavioral data, heatmaps, and analytics platforms to understand user interactions.
Ethnographic Research
Methods from anthropology and social sciences were adapted for product research, focusing on contextual inquiry and field studies.
AI and Machine Learning
Predictive analytics and AI tools are now used to anticipate user needs and optimize product experiences.
Remote and Unmoderated Testing
Tools like UserTesting, Lookback, and Maze enabled remote research, scaling studies efficiently.
Mixed-Method Research, which combines qualitative and quantitative methods became standard. Researchers used tools like A/B testing, user interviews, journey mapping, and analytics.
Continuous Discovery
Teams adopted continuous discovery practices, embedding research into the entire product lifecycle to adapt quickly to user needs.
Behavioral Analytics and Data-Driven Insights
Product research increasingly relied on behavioral data, heatmaps, and analytics platforms to understand user interactions.
Ethnographic Research
Methods from anthropology and social sciences were adapted for product research, focusing on contextual inquiry and field studies.
AI and Machine Learning
Predictive analytics and AI tools are now used to anticipate user needs and optimize product experiences.
Remote and Unmoderated Testing
Tools like UserTesting, Lookback, and Maze enabled remote research, scaling studies efficiently.
Customer Experience (CX) Focus
Product research expanded beyond usability, considering the end-to-end customer journey and emotional impact.
Inclusive and Ethical Research
The field now prioritizes inclusive, accessible, and ethical research practices to avoid biases and ensure fair experiences.