7 pitfalls of user data research

As the Product Manager of LogRocket’s Issues team, the author shares insights from a recent data research initiative aimed at improving the triaging feature, which tracks user engagement but has remained unchanged for years. The article emphasizes the importance of beginning with clear research questions and identifies seven common pitfalls in user data research, such as failing to differentiate between user tiers, neglecting to check for outliers, and not analyzing user cohorts separately. The text recounts how refining the data by filtering out sandbox applications and super-users helped answer critical questions about customer behavior, highlighting the need to consider different data vectors and draw hypotheses from findings. By documenting and sharing results for feedback, research becomes collaborative, leading to better hypotheses and deeper insights. Ultimately, the article underscores the value of user research in making informed product decisions and enhancing user experience with tools like LogRocket, which streamlines workflows and aligns cross-functional teams on data-driven actions.