Common methods include surveys, interviews, usability testing, contextual inquiries, persona development, journey mapping, and analytics analysis. These methods provide designers with valuable qualitative and quantitative data to guide decision-making throughout the design process.

User research helps identify user pain points, validate design assumptions, prioritize features, and optimize user interfaces for usability and satisfaction. By incorporating user feedback and insights into the design process, UI/UX designers can create products and experiences that meet user needs and expectations, leading to higher user engagement and satisfaction.

User research should be conducted at various stages of the design process, including the discovery phase, concept development, prototyping, and post-launch evaluation. Conducting research early and iteratively allows designers to validate design decisions, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure that the final product meets user needs and expectations.