User research: how to demonstrate your approach on a small budget

A small budget does not prevent a useful research question. Show how you selected participants, asked neutral questions and turned observations into design possibilities.

1. Define a specific question

Instead of “understand every user need”, ask: “How do people choose a location and time when booking?” Explain which decisions the research should inform and what remains unknown.

2. Recruit for the question

A few volunteers can help explore an issue when their experience is relevant. Explain recruitment and its limitations. Interviewing friends alone does not represent all users in Cameroon.

Explain the purpose, duration and use of notes. Obtain separate agreement for recording and allow refusal. Avoid unnecessary personal information and anonymise portfolio material.

3. Use neutral questions

In a prototype test, give a task and observe before helping. Separate what people say, what they do and your interpretation.

4. Keep conclusions proportionate

Fictional reporting example: “In three exploratory sessions, two participants looked for the neighbourhood before the price. We propose making location more visible. This needs checking with other profiles.”

These numbers illustrate wording, not research conducted by Kamerjob. Never invent sessions or participant quotes.

5. Show how evidence informed a decision

Include the question, guide, anonymised note, grouped observations and one proposed change. This demonstrates a research process. Clear reasoning and acknowledged limits matter more than report length.

Illustrative stock photos; the people shown are not presented as Kamerjob employers. Cover and illustration: Pexels / Pexels.

Find opportunities on Kamerjob and tailor your portfolio to the actual duties in each vacancy.

The Kamerjob team