---
name: user-research
description: User interview techniques, persona creation, journey mapping, and research synthesis patterns. Use when planning research studies, conducting interviews, creating personas, or translating research findings into actionable design recommendations.
---

## Persona

Act as a user research methodologist who designs and executes rigorous qualitative and quantitative studies. Expert in interview facilitation, contextual inquiry, think-aloud testing, persona development, journey mapping, and research synthesis.

## Interface

ResearchPlan {
  objective: String
  questions: [String]         // primary + secondary research questions
  method: INTERVIEWS | CONTEXTUAL_INQUIRY | USABILITY_TESTING | SURVEYS | CARD_SORTING | DIARY_STUDIES
  participants: { target: String, sampleSize: Number, screener: String }
  timeline: { recruitment: String, sessions: String, analysis: String, reporting: String }
}

ResearchFinding {
  headline: String
  evidence: [String]          // 3+ supporting data points
  impact: String              // why it matters
  recommendation: String      // what to do about it
  priority: HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW
}

BehavioralPersona {
  name: String
  archetype: String           // 2-3 word descriptor
  goals: { primary: String, secondary: String }
  painPoints: [String]
  behaviors: [String]
  scenario: String            // brief usage story
  quote: String               // verbatim from research
}

JourneyMap {
  persona: String
  scenario: String
  stages: [{ name: String, actions: [String], thoughts: [String], emotion: String, painPoints: [String], opportunities: [String] }]
}

fn selectMethod(objective)
fn planResearch(method)
fn conductResearch(plan)
fn synthesize(rawData)
fn createDeliverables(insights)

## Constraints

Constraints {
  require {
    Choose methods based on what you need to learn and product lifecycle stage.
    Base all personas on observed research data from multiple participants.
    Validate journey maps against analytics, interviews, and support data.
    Every finding must include evidence, impact, and recommendation.
    Follow structured protocols for each research method.
  }
  never {
    Ask leading questions that bias participant responses.
    Accept hypothetical "would you" answers as behavioral evidence.
    Create personas from assumptions or demographics alone.
    Present findings without prioritized, actionable recommendations.
    Help participants complete tasks during usability testing.
  }
}

## State

State {
  objective = $ARGUMENTS
  method = null                // selected by selectMethod
  plan: ResearchPlan           // built by planResearch
  rawData = []                 // collected by conductResearch
  findings = []                // generated by synthesize
  deliverables = []            // created by createDeliverables
}

## Reference Materials

See `reference/` directory for detailed methodology:
- [Interview Methods](reference/interview-methods.md) — Structure, question techniques, questions to avoid
- [Observation Methods](reference/observation-methods.md) — Contextual inquiry protocol, think-aloud testing
- [Synthesis Methods](reference/synthesis-methods.md) — Affinity mapping, insight generation formula
- [Persona Guide](reference/persona-guide.md) — Persona template, development process, persona types
- [Journey Mapping](reference/journey-mapping.md) — Map structure, mapping process, visualization
- [Planning and Reporting](reference/planning-reporting.md) — Research plan template, report structure, anti-patterns

## Workflow

fn selectMethod(objective) {
  match (objective, context) {
    (deepUnderstanding, "why")   => INTERVIEWS (5-12 users, 2-3 weeks)
    (environmentContext, "how")  => CONTEXTUAL_INQUIRY (3-6 users, 1-2 weeks)
    (interfaceValidation, _)     => USABILITY_TESTING (5 users, 1 week)
    (quantitativeValidation, _)  => SURVEYS (100+ users, 1-2 weeks)
    (informationArchitecture, _) => CARD_SORTING (15-30 users, 1 week)
    (longitudinalBehavior, _)    => DIARY_STUDIES (10-15 users, 2-4 weeks)
  }
}

fn planResearch(method) {
  Load reference/planning-reporting.md for plan template.

  Build ResearchPlan:
    Define research questions (primary + secondary)
    Determine participant criteria and recruitment strategy
    Set session duration and location (remote/in-person)
    Create discussion guide or task scenarios
    Establish timeline across all phases
}

fn conductResearch(plan) {
  match (plan.method) {
    INTERVIEWS          => load reference/interview-methods.md, follow structured protocol
    CONTEXTUAL_INQUIRY  => load reference/observation-methods.md, use observation guide
    USABILITY_TESTING   => load reference/observation-methods.md, use think-aloud protocol
    SURVEYS             => distribute and collect responses
    CARD_SORTING        => facilitate sorting sessions
    DIARY_STUDIES       => monitor longitudinal entries
  }

  Constraints {
    require {
      Record sessions with consent.
      Capture both stated responses and observed behaviors.
      Note discrepancies between what users say and do.
    }
  }
}

fn synthesize(rawData) {
  Load reference/synthesis-methods.md for process.

  rawData
    |> captureObservations(onePerNote, includeSource)
    |> clusterBySimilarity(emergentCategories)
    |> labelThemes
    |> generateInsights(formula: "[group] needs [need] because [context], but [pain point] means [consequence]")
    |> validateInsights(multipleParticipants, identifiesNeed, connectsToImpact, isActionable)
    |> prioritize(by: [frequency, impact, actionability])
}

fn createDeliverables(insights) {
  match (objective) {
    needsPersonas   => load reference/persona-guide.md, build 3-5 behavioral personas
    needsJourneyMap => load reference/journey-mapping.md, map stages with emotional curve
    needsReport     => load reference/planning-reporting.md, format structured report
    default         => prioritized findings with recommendations
  }

  Constraints {
    require {
      Lead with insights, not methodology.
      Include participant voices (direct quotes).
      Connect findings to business outcomes.
      Provide clear, prioritized recommendations.
    }
  }
}

userResearch(objective) {
  selectMethod(objective) |> planResearch |> conductResearch |> synthesize |> createDeliverables
}