Summary
Did you know that the terms "bureaucracy" and "information worker" were both invented by sociologists, long before either thing existed? Did you know that the 2008 crash was accurately predicted by an anthropologist? Many people don't realize that social research drives robust foresight. This is the kind of value even a very junior UX researcher can contribute. In this talk, Sam Ladner will describe how researchers can sift and track weak signals, how to create trend reports, and how to predict areas of change.
Key Insights
-
•
Confidence is key for UX researchers to lead and make impactful predictions.
-
•
Understanding weak signals is essential for detecting changes in technology and society.
-
•
Historical contexts can provide important insights into current trends and future forecasts.
-
•
Standardization of mundane objects can trigger significant organizational and social changes.
-
•
Practitioners should be vigilant about cultural differences affecting research findings.
-
•
Utilizing multiple methods for data analysis enhances the rigor of foresight practices.
-
•
Regular scanning and sorting of information leads to better insights and future readiness.
-
•
Strategic foresight frameworks can help researchers organize their thoughts and predictions effectively.
-
•
Reflexivity in research is crucial to reduce bias and improve outcomes.
-
•
It's important to be prepared for being 'too early' in spotting trends; persistence is valuable.
Notable Quotes
"This talk is about building confidence to lead and have a seat at the table."
"It's not about listening to stakeholders; it's about developing your craft."
"Some of the most mundane objects can signal change."
"Technical change isn't just about gadgets; it's also about social practices."
"Rigor isn't just following the scientific method, it's explaining why you made certain choices."
"The future tends not to talk about the future, but allows us to create multiple futures."
"Know why you made choices in your research; that's what rigor is."
"Be courageous and keep your intellectual powder dry; you may be too early but that's okay."
"Regularly scanning and organizing information can lead to critical insights."
"By combining social, technological, and economic changes, you can predict significant events like the 2008 crash."
More Videos
"What customers care about is the first thing we should measure."
Kristin Skinner Kamdyn MooreGroup Activity: A Deep Dive Into Value and Outcomes
October 23, 2019
"The ideal is to combine the best of both handwritten and digital notes."
Jorge ArangoThe Best of Both Worlds: How to Integrate Paper and Digital Notes (1st of 3 seminars) (Videoconference)
April 5, 2024
"Research happens across the entire process."
Prabhas Pokharel Mayo NissenOrder and Chaos: New Ways of Collaborating on Synthesis and Storytelling
March 10, 2022
"For many users, mobile can be their first choice simply because interactions are simplified."
Sam ProulxMobile Accessibility: Why Moving Accessibility Beyond the Desktop is Critical in a Mobile-first World
March 10, 2022
"A well-framed request makes it easier for stakeholders to say 'yes' to involvement in research."
Roberta Dombrowski Sam Duong WoloszynskiMaking Research a Team Sport
March 11, 2022
"How we are at the small scale reflects the systemic patterns at the large scale."
Josina VinkNavigating the pitfalls of systems thinking in service design
December 4, 2024
"Design operations professionals must facilitate collaboration between human effort and AI efficiency."
Angelos ArnisNavigating the Rapid Shifts in Tech's Turbulent Terrain
October 2, 2023
"We need to support all functions of the business to keep it running."
Ted NewardTheme 4: Enterprise Organizational Journey
June 4, 2019
"Allow yourself the mental space for life outside of work."
Maria SkaadenPanel Discussion: Methodologies and Work Environments
November 8, 2018
