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Summary
Perhaps no word is more likely to get researchers agitated than “democratization.” The debate about democratization is vigorous, though verging on pointless: it’s here and unlikely to be dialed back. And other research functions are talking to customers, running surveys, and conducting A/B testing. In this community workshop, we take a step back and take a broader look at the field of insight. With viewpoints honed in data analytics, market research, and user research, our panelists discuss how democratization has been made to work effectively in their fields for quite some time, and what we can do to imagine a future beyond the debate. Attend all of our Advancing Research community workshops Each free virtual workshop is made up of panelists who will share short provocations on engaging ideas to discuss as a group, as well as a leader in our field to moderate. If you're looking for discussions that challenge the status quo and can truly advance research, look no further than our workshop series. (P.S. We’ll be drawing most of our Advancing Research 2025 conference speakers from those who present at upcoming workshops—so tune in for a sneak peek of what's to come from #AR2025!) August 7, 11am-12pm EDT Watch Video Theme 2: Collaboration Learning from market research, data science, customer experience, and more August 21, 4-5pm EDT Watch Video Theme 3: Communication Innovative techniques for making your voice heard September 4, 11am-12pm EDT Watch Video Theme 4: Methods Expanding the UXR toolkit beyond interviews September 18, 4-5pm EDT Watch Video Theme 5: Artificial Intelligence Passionate defenses, reasoned critiques, and practical application October 2, 11am-12pm EDT Watch Video Theme 6: Junctures for UXR Possible futures and the critical decisions to move us forward October 16, 4-5pm EDT Watch Video Theme 7: Open Call Propose ideas that don’t match our other workshops’ themes
Key Insights
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Democratization in research requires intentional programs that empower cross-functional partners to conduct their own research.
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Effective democratization blends education, technological guardrails, and oversight to ensure data quality.
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It's essential for organizations to invest in resources that specifically support democratization initiatives.
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Engagement from both top management and individual stakeholders is crucial for meaningful democratization.
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Good data practices require clear definitions and frameworks to avoid misinterpretation and ensure accuracy across teams.
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Empowering non-research stakeholders to participate in various methodologies can enhance organizational insights not just through interviews.
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The quality of data is paramount, and stakeholders must understand its limitations and biases when making decisions.
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Fostering a culture of psychological safety is necessary for effective collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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Research should move beyond just qualitative interviews to include diverse methodologies that broaden insight collection.
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Practices from market research, such as scorecards and structured engagement, can serve as valuable examples for user research.
Notable Quotes
"Democratization is not research anarchy where anyone can talk to any customer without oversight."
"We need a top-down and bottom-up approach for successful democratization."
"Say no to stakeholders when they want to bypass established research practices."
"All data has bias and limitations; it’s about understanding where it sits on a spectrum."
"Empowerment of team members means that data is not a blocker to decision-making."
"The power to provide insights should be distributed among all team members."
"Good data should be accompanied by strong frameworks to ensure meaningful interpretations."
"Investment in research capabilities must be prioritized at an organizational level."
"Equip stakeholders with a diverse toolbox of methodologies, not just interviews."
"Understanding data quality and its limitations is essential in a democratized research environment."
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