What kind of studies help evaluate a product by testing it on users to identify pain points?

Usability studies are designed specifically to evaluate a product by observing real users as they interact with it. The primary goal of these studies is to identify pain points, which are specific issues or challenges that users face while navigating or using the product. By focusing on user behavior and their experiences, usability studies provide insights into how intuitive and effective a design is, helping designers and developers understand where improvements are needed.

In these studies, researchers often use various methods such as task completion, observational techniques, and think-aloud protocols to gather qualitative and quantitative data. This information can then inform design decisions, ensuring that the final product better meets user needs and provides a more satisfying experience.

While survey studies provide broad user feedback and market studies look into potential sales and user demographics, and focus group studies gather subjective opinions from a small group, usability studies are unique in their direct observation of users interacting with the product, making them the most effective method for identifying specific user pain points.