explore · Problem Solving · 180–480 min · 1-10 people · low energy

Secondary Research

Secondary research provides a foundation of knowledge before engaging directly with users. It involves gathering existing data and insights to understand the context of a design challenge, identify potential solutions, and formulate informed questions for primary research.

When to use Secondary Research

Use this method when you need to gain a deeper understanding of the problem space before conducting user interviews or generating solutions. It's particularly useful when tackling complex social sector challenges or when you need to identify existing solutions and best practices.

What it solves

Lack of context or understanding of the problem space; reinventing the wheel; asking uninformed questions during user research.

How to run Secondary Research, step by step

  1. Define your research focus based on your design challenge. (15 minutes)
  2. Identify relevant sources, including online databases, academic journals, news articles, and industry reports. (30 minutes)
  3. Conduct a thorough search and gather relevant information, taking detailed notes and citing sources. (120-360 minutes)
  4. Analyze and synthesize your findings, identifying key trends, insights, and gaps in knowledge. (30-60 minutes)
  5. Summarize your research in a clear and concise format, highlighting the implications for your design challenge. (15-30 minutes)

Materials needed

  • Internet connection
  • Pen
  • Notebook
  • Research materials (reports, articles, etc.)
  • Shared document or online whiteboard (for hybrid)

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage the team to explore a wide range of sources, including both quantitative and qualitative data.
  • Help the team to stay focused on the research questions and avoid getting sidetracked by irrelevant information.

Common pitfalls

  • Getting overwhelmed by the amount of information available. - Focus on the most relevant sources and prioritize your research questions.
  • Relying solely on online sources. - Explore offline resources such as books, journals, and industry reports.

Variations

  • Divide the research tasks among team members to cover more ground.
  • Conduct a literature review to identify key themes and research gaps.

Running it online or hybrid

Share research links and findings via a shared document or online whiteboard.

What it produces

A summary document or presentation outlining key findings, relevant statistics, existing solutions, and potential areas for innovation.

Origin

Adapted from IDEO.org's Design Kit — source

Build a session around Secondary Research

METODIC places Secondary Research inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

Generate a session with Secondary Research · Try METODIC free