This checklist guides UX user study planning, from the research question and study design to recruitment, consent, instruments and technology. Choose the sample and measures to fit the method and question.

checklist: Planning a User Study

UX Research · Study preparation

version 1.1

Study objectives & hypotheses

Research question(s) clearly formulated

What should the study answer? Exploratory or hypothesis-testing?

reference: User-centered design process

Hypotheses (if any) clearly and testably established

e.g. UX measure X leads to shorter processing time

Target variables defined

e.g. success rate, efficiency, satisfaction

reference: Usability metrics explained in an understandable way

Study design & procedure

Study design selected (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method)

Design choice based on the objectives

reference: Quantitative vs. qualitative in UX

Scenarios and tasks formulated realistically

Clear, measurable, without suggestion

Schedule with time structure created

Welcome, instruction, tasks, follow-up questioning

The study setting fits the context of use and protects participant privacy

Explain observation and recording in advance; remove distractions only when appropriate to the research question.

Ethics & data protection taken into account

Declaration of consent, information, data minimization

reference: Fitness for purpose & legal context

Sampling & Recruitment

Target group defined & inclusion/exclusion criteria defined

e.g. experience, context of use, demographic characteristics

reference: Create personas and scenarios

Sample size and composition justified by the study method

For quantitative studies, plan for the design and statistical power; for qualitative studies, consider the question, participant diversity and information power rather than using a fixed number.

Recruitment channels defined

e.g. customer list, online panel, internal mailing list

Incentives clarified

e.g. voucher, expense allowance, internal letter of thanks

Instruments & Technology

Test script prepared

Welcome, instructions, observation notes

Interview guide or questionnaires prepared

e.g. System Usability Scale (SUS), UEQ

Technology tested (software, microphone, screen sharing, etc.)

Test run with colleague or pilot person

Recording, notes or screen recording planned

e.g. for later analysis or stakeholder review

reference: Screen recording and heat maps

Last modified: 1 November 2026