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Hi Reader 👋🏾

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Let’s talk about research methods.. specifically, diary studies vs. usability testing.These two often get mentioned in the same breath, and I get why - they’re both behavioral.

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But I see a lot of researchers (even experienced ones) default to one or the other without fully thinking through what decision they’re trying to support.

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This email is all about getting clear on the purpose of each method so you can choose the one that’s best suited for your goals, time, and resources.

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Here’s a breakdown you can refer to next time you’re in research planning mode:

🗒️ Diary Studies: Seeing the story unfold

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Diary studies are all about behavior over a short period of time. Instead of observing someone in a single session, you’re inviting them to log their thoughts, actions, and decisions across multiple days or even weeks as they use a product or move through a journey in the context of their day-to-day. This could look like written journal entries, video snippets, screen recordings, photos…they’re self-documenting their experience.

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Why this matters: It gives you a rich, in-context look at how people actually use something in their lives, not just how they respond in a lab or artificial setting.

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You might choose this method when you want to answer questions like:

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• How do people naturally incorporate this product or process into their daily routine?
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• Where do things break down over time?
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• What emotional or logistical challenges show up that wouldn’t be obvious in a single session?
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The insights you get here are about patterns, real-life friction, and longitudinal shifts in behavior or sentiment. It’s deep, contextual, and often full of surprises.

⏰ Usability Testing: Zooming in on the moment

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Usability testing is more structured and time-bound.

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You’re asking participants to complete specific tasks using a product, feature, or prototype, while you observe what happens. Sometimes you ask questions during; sometimes you wait until after.

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This method is best when you already have something built or nearly built and you want to make sure it works the way you think it does.

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Questions you might be exploring:

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• Can users complete the task as expected?
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• Where do they get stuck, confused, or frustrated?
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• Is the design doing what we intended it to do?
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Usability testing helps you evaluate and improve something that exists by seeing it through the user’s eyes.

So, which one should you use? That depends entirely on what you’re trying to learn.

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👉 Need to understand context, daily behaviors, and long-term usage? Go with a diary study.

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👉 Need to evaluate a specific flow or feature? You’ll get more value from usability testing.

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Both are powerful but they’re not interchangeable and do not serve the same purpose.

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When you’re thoughtful about the method you choose, your insights get sharper. Your recommendations hit harder. And you build more credibility as a strategic partner not just someone who runs studies.

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Hope this breakdown helps the next time you’re choosing between depth and speed, context and clarity.

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All the best,

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Eniola Abioye

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​UXR Career Coach and Founder, UX Outloud

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