Services

We help firms understand the social aspects of their products and their organizations by employing design research methods.

Copernicus Consulting provides a variety of social research methods including ethnography, in-depth interviewing, usability testing, and surveys. We have over 15 years’ experience using, observing, and analyzing social behaviour, with particular expertise in understanding how technology affects social interaction.

How Design Research Is Different

Design research differs from traditional market research in that is always focused on applying insights in context. The design research approach focuses on the social and organizational aspects of improving products, branding, and experiences.

We develop robust and artful research designs that are specifically tailored to uncover insights our clients need. We enthusiastically embrace this process and educate clients on how to make their own research design decisions.

When to use design research

Design research uncovers deep insights about products, people, communications, marketing strategies, and organizational structures. We have employed design research in:

• Product design
• Web site design
• Organizational change
• Mergers
• Go-to-market strategies
• Innovation programs

We employ the following methods for these tools.

Ethnography

Field-based research including home, office, and mobile (e.g., in the car; “shop alongs”) locations. We observe, photograph and video people in their natural environments to discern what kinds of designs or messages might resonate with them.

In-depth interviewing

We provide one-on-one or dyad interviewing, often along with ethnographic methods. We plough through the volumes of qualitative data to provide specific actionable insights for designs or messages.

Facilitation

Many of our clients enjoy working through data analysis with us. We welcome this opportunity to involve our clients and have many tools to structure productive group sessions.

Training

We also train our clients to be more autonomous, better equipped, and more knowledgeable than before we met them. Training has included: ethnographic field training, interviewing skills, observation skills, data analysis skills, creativity tools, and structured forms of brainstorming.

Focus groups

We have experience moderating focus groups of up to 10 people.

Usability testing

We can guide clients through their first usability test, right from designing the interview guide to moderating the session. Our experience in user experience design is particularly useful here.

Surveys

We have many years experience developing survey instruments and project managing launching them online. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis is included in survey work. This is particularly fruitful when coupled with previous qualitative exploration.

Web analytics

We provide specific measurement plans and Key Performance Indicator development for clients who wish to use their Web site as another site of social data collection. We have experience with project managing analytics implementations and have many contacts with technical expertise.