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With pop-up research, you do short informal interviews or usability tests in places used by the people you want to talk to (for example libraries, day centres, offices or colleges).

When to do pop-up research

Pop-up research works best when you have clear, simple objectives (for example, you want to see if people can find certain guidance or provide specific information). This means your research activity needs to be short and easy to explain.

Pop-up research can be particularly helpful if you need to:

• get insights quickly
• research with a broad cross-section of the public
• talk to specific user groups that may be difficult to reach - for example, care home residents, homeless people or A level students
• learn about regional variations - so you need to research in different places

The limitations of pop-up research (for example, short sessions, random participants, recording problems etc) mean you鈥檒l always need to combine it with other research methods.

Steps to follow

Plan and prepare your pop-up research sessions carefully for best results.

Plan your visit

When planning pop-up research, you鈥檒l need to:

• identify places where the people you want to talk to are likely to be - don鈥檛 rule out noisy or crowded places as these can be more realistic environments than silent usability labs
• contact venues and ask for permission to carry out research - explain what you want to do, when you want to do it and how long it will take
• line up several venues and dates in advance
• make sure each venue is accessible to the users you鈥檙e trying to see
• use a checklist to make sure you take everything you鈥檒l need on the day

Work in pairs

Always do pop-up research in pairs - it鈥檚 easier and safer. Having 2 of you there means:

• one of you can recruit participants while the other is setting up the next session
• one of you can take notes and recordings while the other leads the session
• one of you can watch your equipment and bags while the other gets drinks and food, or goes to the toilet
• more team members get the chance to meet and learn from users first hand

Set up

Once you arrive at a venue, you should:

• set up in a place where people are likely to pause or have some free time, for example a break out area or caf茅
• choose a position where people passing by can see what you鈥檙e doing - this can attract participants, as well as reassure them
• make yourself visible, for example with banners and signs
• look around, talk to people and take photos of things that might be relevant to your research or give you a better understanding of your users or your service
• take care of your equipment and personal belongings - it鈥檚 easy to forget that you鈥檙e in a public place

Find participants

Unlike other types of research, you鈥檒l need to recruit research participants at the venue on the day itself. You should:

• approach people who may be able to take part in your research
• be able to explain what you鈥檙e doing - and that you鈥檙e not selling anything - in less than 30 seconds
• make it clear that you鈥檙e there to learn from them, or to have them try something so you can see how well it works for them
• consider offering small incentives like drinks or snacks - don鈥檛 offer money for pop-up research as it can be hard to manage and could put you at risk
• get informed consent from all participants before you start

Do the research

Focus on 1 or 2 important tasks or questions. For best results:

• come prepared with a short set of questions, tests based on paper or digital prototypes, or tests of existing services
• choose inclusive activities and be flexible on the day so as many people as possible can participate - for example, allow people with access needs to use their own device and assistive technology
• aim for sessions to last around 10 minutes - once people are engaged, they may stay longer
• use simple data capture sheets (for example, paper divided into boxes) to make it easier for you to take notes
• use your phone, laptop and online tools to record screen activity, the participant鈥檚 face and your conversation
• be prepared that some venues and participants won鈥檛 let you record or photograph sessions - particularly if the topic you鈥檙e researching is sensitive

Pack up

Once you鈥檝e finished:

• pack away your equipment - use your planning checklist
• make sure any personal data you鈥檝e collected (on paper or in recordings) is stored safely so you can transport it securely
• tidy up the area you鈥檝e been working in and return everything to its normal place
• thank everybody for their time and support
• ask if you can come back another time

Examples and case studies

To learn more about pop-up research, read a blog post about .

Related guides

You may also find these guides useful:

• Choose a location for user research
• Analyse a research session