Users Lie, Data Misleads, and Why UX Research (Still) Matters

Users say one thing. Then they do something completely different. Nick, co-host at the Design Table Podcast, just found out the hard way.

In this episode of the Design Table Podcast, we discuss why user feedback can be misleading, why badly framed research creates false confidence, and how designers should really think about data and user research.

We talk about research methods that fail in practice, why people lie during tests, and how relying on a single data point can completely derail your product design decision making.

This episode is about moving beyond performative research and building confidence in your decisions using the right mix of qualitative and quantitative signals. It is a must-see for any designer who's interested in UX research.

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔸 Why users lie
🔸 How poorly framed questions ruin your UX research outcome
🔸 When usability testing beats surveys
🔸 Why screenshots and explanations often get ignored
🔸 How to triangulate research instead of trusting one signal
🔸 When to trust data and when to trust experience

⏱ Chapters
 00:00 “Users lie” and the research crisis
 04:00 Why feedback doesn’t match behavior
 09:00 Choosing the right research method
 15:00 Unmoderated vs moderated testing
 21:00 SUS scores and false certainty
 27:00 A simple research framework that works
 33:00 Why research matters more in an AI-driven world

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More about Tyler and Nick
Tyler: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/tyler-white
Nick: https://www.designtablepodcast.com/hosts/nick-groeneveld