Here's a helpful glossary of UX research terms (we are constantly adding and improving). If you have suggestions of topics that would be helpful for other researchers, both in and out of the UX field, let us know!

General terminology

• Session: A session is one unmoderated video of a participant going through your website, mobile app etc.
• Study or Project: A study also known as a project is a collection of participant sessions.

Recruiting terminology

• Participants: People who are giving feedback. They can also sometimes be referred to as "testers". PlaybookUX has a participant panel where you can select your target demographic and enter screener questions. Alternatively, you can use your own participants for a study if you have a list of your own customers who you’d like to get feedback from.
• Bring your own participants study: This is a study where you opt to bring your own participants, as opposed to use the PlaybookUX recruiting panel. PlaybookUX will generate a link that you can send to your participants (no sign up required).

Unmoderated

• Test asset: This is what you are looking to get feedback on. It can be a prototype, website, mobile app, youtube video, blog post, marketing email, facebook ad or more.
• Screen recorder: This will record the participants screen, voice and/or face and they review the test asset. PlaybookUX has a proprietary recorder that will handle the logistics of this for you!

Moderated

• Moderator: someone who is responsible for interviewing the participant. The moderator will ask the participants questions and is responsible for controlling the session.
• Live notes: Notes that are taken during moderated session (as opposed to after the session).
• Hidden observer: Team members can join moderated interviews without being visible to the participant - similar to a one way mirror.

Card Sorting

• Information architecture: Information architecture is the practice of organizing and sorting the contents of a website or app. Methodologies like card sorting and tree testing help researchers test if the architecture works and categories of the project are making sense.