Understanding Try it Yourself method
Another format of this method does not rely on prior interviews or surveys. Instead, the researcher places themselves in the user’s context, performs the same actions, and experiences the same conditions.
This helps build empathy and uncover needs or behaviours that users may not explicitly express. It can serve as an early step in the design process, informing later interviews, surveys, role-plays, and even a user research brief.
Trying the experience as a user can also help validate whether previously stated user needs, challenges, and pain points hold true in practice. While useful, it should not be treated as one of the core user research substitute methods.
Advantages of Try it Yourself
1. Empathy
By stepping into the user’s shoes, the researcher gains a stronger understanding of user experience.
2. First-hand experience
The researcher directly experiences the product, service, or concept without relying only on assumptions. This can complement 1-1 user research by adding lived perspective.
3. Quick problem definition
An experienced researcher can quickly identify issues and shape an initial problem statement, helping move design forward faster.
Disadvantages of Try it Yourself
1. Requires experience
This method depends on a mature researcher and may increase project cost.
2. Risk of bias
Because the researcher interprets the experience personally, it may introduce bias—especially if later findings challenge those assumptions.