Conducting remote UX research with dynamic stimuli and evolving prototypes presents a unique set of challenges—balancing structure and flexibility, managing tech intricacies, and uncovering clear, actionable user insights. When done right, UX research best practices become a powerful tool for shaping intuitive, high-performing digital products.
At Touchstone Research, we help brands elevate their UX research across platforms and devices—from mobile apps and walkthrough videos to interactive prototypes in tools like Figma. Our expert moderators are fluent in all forms of stimuli—static, animated, and interactive—and apply industry-leading practices to ensure every session delivers maximum value.
Watch the video: Get a 4-minute summary featuring firsthand insights from our UX Moderator Roundtable.
Below, we expand on the three core UX research strategies discussed in the video—proven approaches that have helped our team deliver thousands of successful remote sessions.
1. Start with Strategy: Know the Stim
Every client has different needs, expectations, and comfort levels with how their stimuli is explored – successful UX sessions begin by aligning on these needs.
Start with a walkthrough. In our moderator roundtable, we chatted about how having a walkthrough with clients ahead of time is non-negotiable. Why? Because every prototype is different—and so is every client’s goal. A walkthrough helps moderators understand:
- Which features to emphasize
- The language and terminology clients prefer
- How flexible (or fixed) the prototype really is
This walkthrough serves as a roadmap – because knowing where to go allows UX researchers to guide participants with confidence.
2. Make It Click: How to Capture the UX Journey
UX research requires clarity, so seeing exactly where participants click is key. Remote sessions can make this tricky – especially when participants are navigating stimuli on phones or TVs – so that’s why our moderators shared creative, yet proven strategies to ensure a clear view of user interaction:
- External Cameras: Useful in certain cases, especially when path-following is critical. (Be sure to build in setup time and guide participants on camera position.)
- “Hug the Laptop” Technique: Participants can flip their laptop camera to face their phone, allowing moderators to see real-time tapping and swiping. It’s simple, but effective for capturing user pathways.
- TV Research: When testing interfaces on smart TVs or CTV apps, moderators can ask participants to show their remote and narrate what they’re clicking. It’s part detective work, part collaboration—but it works.
- Additional Methods: Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. Whether a session calls for a more traditional screen-sharing setup or a custom-tailored solution, we work closely with clients to identify the right method to ensure success.
Bottom line: Choose the method that aligns with session goals and make sure participants feel confident using it. When in doubt, Touchstone’s UX team is here to collaborate and guide our clients toward the best-fit approach.er deeper insights and ensure nothing is missed.
3. Plan for the Unexpected: Managing Multiple Stimuli & Time
Got a jam-packed guide with multiple stimuli to test? Don’t worry—there are ways to keep sessions focused, flexible, and valuable.
Here’s how our expert moderators strategize:
Connect with the Right Support: When possible, set up a line of communication with the client’s development or support team — particularly when working with custom prototypes. Having this line of communication can help if back end troubleshooting is needed quickly and in real time.
Prioritize Must-Haves: Ask clients which questions are most critical. Bold them in the guide and prioritize them.
Build in Buffer Time: Prototype transitions and participant navigation can certainly eat up time. Having a cushion keeps things stress-free.
Structured Yet Flexible: Organize the session guide to allow seamless skipping of certain areas if needed, or revisiting of sections, based on how each session flows.
Why Touchstone Leads in UX Research Best Practices
At Touchstone Research, we’re not just moderators—we’re UX collaborators. Our Moderator Roundtable Program brings together expert researchers to share strategies, test new tools, and refine best practices for moderating remote UX sessions. Every year, our team conducts thousands of UX research sessions with all types of prototypes—static, animated, interactive, and everything in between. We’ve seen it all: from tapping through mobile flows to navigating CTV apps, and we’ve developed proven methods for getting authentic, actionable feedback from users at every step.
We know how to adapt, how to guide, and how to connect with participants so they stay focused, engaged, and empowered to share their experiences.
Whether it’s usability testing, interface feedback, or early-stage product development, we ensure every session is optimized for clarity and insight.
What sets us apart:
- Expert Moderation: Skilled in empathy, adaptability, and digital fluency
- End-to-End Services: From recruitment and tech setup to reporting and highlight reels
- Innovative UX Tools and Methods: Multi-device testing environments, rolling UX programs, journey mapping, and more
- Global Reach: Research coverage in over 60 countries, with localized moderation and cultural fluency
- Audience Specialization: Expertise in engaging Gen Z, kids, parents, educators, multicultural audiences, and hard-to-reach segments
Apply These UX Research Best Practices to Your Next Project
Whether you’re validating early-stage designs, testing product flows, or collecting feedback from international users, Touchstone’s expert team can help you turn research into results.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your next UX research initiative—and don’t forget to watch the video for a fast, expert-led overview of what makes a great UX session truly effective.
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