Summary
No topic within the insight industry has drawn as much impassioned debate and existential questioning about our future, value, and craft as that of research democratization. It raises fundamental questions about our practice and raison d'etre: Should knowledge be owned or controlled? Is research art, science, or craft? How much research is too much? Can anyone ever not be biased? What does it even mean to be a researcher anymore? Join us for a head-to-head debate between a passionate defender and a fervent detractor of democratization. They'll engage in strong but respectful dialogue about the rights, wrongs and pitfalls of democratizing research.
Key Insights
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Democratization of research should not compromise the quality of research methods and findings.
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Research should be treated as a strategic function, rather than a tactical one.
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The metaphor of democracy in research can create misunderstandings about the role of professional researchers.
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The inherent risks in training non-researchers to conduct research can negatively affect outcomes.
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Research value is more than just data collection; it requires expertise in analysis and application of findings.
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Effective positioning of researchers involves education on their strategic value to the organization.
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Organizations should consider who is conducting research and ensure they understand the risks involved.
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Informed consent is necessary when involving non-professional researchers in the research process.
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Quality research requires professional expertise to connect insights to business outcomes.
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The value of research lies in the wisdom and knowledge of professional researchers, not just in the data itself.
Notable Quotes
"Democratization is the Trojan Horse that poses as fairness for all but is really a cover for the devaluation of professional researchers."
"Researchers should be senior consultants that help the business make more informed and less risky business decisions."
"Real talk: I never thought I'd be unemployed in UX research this long with my experience and history."
"Good research is an investment; a cheap tattoo is not good."
"Businesses spend time and money on the things that they value, plain and simple."
"The value isn't in the methods, but in the consultative relationship that an expert practitioner has with stakeholders."
"We should focus on just moments where we learn to coexist with our colleagues and accept that we may never find the revolutionary idea in our career and still be great researchers."
"Part of navigating stakeholder relationships involves raising EQ, IQ, and OQ as researchers."
"We need to explicitly connect research outcomes to what the business cares about: growth, value, adaptability, risk, and speed."
"Consensus is the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values, and policies in search of something to which no one believes."
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