Introduction to User Research
Gain essential skills in user research and learn about user-centred service design in government.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours100% online
How it works
Introduction to User Research
Learn the basics of user research with Government Digital Service!
Embark on a journey to transform how you understand user research and how it works in government. This short course equips you with the essential skills and insights needed to excel in user research, paving the way for meaningful, ethical interactions and the creation of services that work for everyone.
On this three week course, you’ll explore the foundational aspects of user research and its importance within government
Understand the essentials of user research
You will learn all about users, user research, and user needs, and explore how user researchers work within multidisciplinary teams to create impactful, user-centred products and services.
Further your understanding of user research in government
In week two, you will learn about agile methods and their history in government. You will explore how user research works across the delivery life cycle, familiarise yourself with the government Service Standard and Design Principles, and learn about the importance of accessibility and inclusion in user-centred design.
Gain confidence in ethical research practices and data analysis
In week three, you’ll learn how to plan and conduct ethical research and the basics of data analysis. As you familiarise yourself with various research tools and methods, you’ll learn to generate actionable insights that drive development.
By completing this course, you’ll gain a robust foundation in user research, the first step towards making a meaningful impact on products and services in government.
Syllabus
Week 1
User Research
Introduction to the course
Welcome to the course! Find out what you will learn over the next 3 weeks.
Users and user research
Learn the basics about users and user research.
User needs
Learn about user needs and user stories.
Summary of the week
A summary of what we learned in Week 1 and a review test.
Week 2
User Research in Government
Introduction to Week 2
Find out what we will be covering in Week 2.
Agile methods and user research
Learn about user research in government, what agile methods are. and how agile shaped the development of GOV.UK.
User-centred design
Learn about the UK government's service standard, design principles, and the importance of inclusive research.
When to do research?
Learn about when and how we decide to do user research and what a roadmap is in user research.
Summary of the week
A summary of what we learned in Week 2 and a review test.
Week 3
User Research in Practice
Introduction to Week 3
Find out what we will be covering in Week 3.
Consent, power dynamics and ethics
Learn about informed consent, power dynamics, and ethical practices in research.
Planning and designing research
Learn about how to scope and plan research and choose research methods.
Running research
Learn about good interview practice by watching a number of scenarios.
Data analysis
Learn about how to analyse different types of data.
Communication and research impact
Learn about how to communicate your findings.
Summary of the week
A summary of what we learned in Week 3 and a review test.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- demonstrate a basic understanding of the key concepts of user research
- explain how user research differs from other forms of research and how it is used in government
- demonstrate a basic understanding of agile methods and how user research works across the phases of the delivery life cycle
- explain the importance of accessibility, inclusivity, and ethical practices, as well as ways these may be implemented in user research
- explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods and the basics of data analysis
Who is the course for?
This course is for beginners interested in user research, product or service team members looking to collaborate more effectively with researchers, and private-sector researchers wanting to explore user research within a government context.
Who will you learn with?
Senior Learning Designer in the Government Digital Service.
Who developed the course?
Government Campus UK
Government Campus UK has been established to share selected courses from across the UK Civil Service.
Ways to learn | Subscribe & save | Buy this course | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | $54/one-off payment | Free |
| Develop skills to further your career | Fulfill your current learning need | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 25 Mar 2025 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | tick | cross | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Tests to check your learning | tick | tick | cross |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Digital only | Printed and digital | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Buy this course
$54/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Tests to boost your learning
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 25 Mar 2025
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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