The Shift to Remote Usability Testing

One of the major shifts in UX research, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is the move from in-person to remote usability testing. While remote testing was not new—Cory recalls conducting his first remote studies as early as 2002—the pandemic has made it the norm. Despite the convenience and scalability of remote testing, Cory still champions the value of in-person research. “I love the rich stream of information and the connection you get when you’re with participants and stakeholders in person,” he shared, emphasizing that in-person research often yields insights that are hard to capture remotely, especially in ethnographic studies.

“My first remote studies in 2002 were extremely rudimentary with internet speeds that were phenomenally slow by today’s standards.”

– Cory Lebson

“What I do is generative or formative, and much less summative. I get to be creative in the recommendations based on the research.”

-Cory Lebson

The Role of Generative Research in Innovation

Cory’s work focuses primarily on generative and formative research, where the goal is to explore user needs, behaviors, and pain points to inform product development. Unlike summative research, which evaluates whether a product can be used effectively, generative research is about discovering new opportunities and iterating on existing designs. Cory explained, “I get to be creative in the recommendations and applying those based on the research, which is really fun.” This approach allows teams to identify and prioritize innovations that can significantly improve user experience.

Navigating the Tensions Between Research, Design, and Product Leadership

A recurring theme in our conversation was the tension between being research-led, design-led, or product-led within organizations. Cory believes that successful outcomes are often the result of strong product or project management that synthesizes inputs from all these areas. “Success is found when you have a good product manager who can pull in different inputs and harmonize them,” Cory noted. This integrative approach ensures that research findings are not only actionable but also aligned with business goals and technical constraints.

The Future of UX Research: AI, AR/VR, and Beyond

Looking ahead, Cory sees exciting opportunities in the integration of AI, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) into UX research. While AI tools are becoming more prevalent, Cory is cautious about their current limitations, noting that AI is not yet capable of replacing human researchers. “AI can be a useful tool, but it’s not going to do my job for me—at least not a good job,” he stated. Cory is also optimistic about the potential of mixed reality technologies like AR and VR, predicting that they will play a significant role in the future of UX design and research, particularly as these technologies become more mainstream.

Conclusion

Cory Lebson’s extensive experience and forward-thinking perspectives provide valuable insights into the current state and future of UX research. As the field continues to evolve, driven by new technologies and methodologies, Cory’s emphasis on the importance of human connection and thoughtful synthesis of research findings remains a guiding principle for UX practitioners.