Translating UserTesting vocabulary to Dscout
Before we cover the specifics of conducting research in Dscout, let’s make sure we’re speaking the same language. If you’re coming from UserTesting, you’re likely familiar with their tool names and vocabulary.
UserTesting vs. Dscout vocabulary
Dscout emphasizes real-world, longitudinal research through media-rich methods, and the terms we use reflect that. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most commonly-used terms in UserTesting and their Dscout equivalents:
Contributor, tester, or user
Participant or Scout
Someone who takes part in a Dscout study. The generic “participant” refers to participants of all types while “Scout” is used to refer to those who come from Dscout’s proprietary panel of on-hand participants.
Test or study
Study or mission
The core research activity used to collect data and insights. “Study” and “mission” are used interchangeably throughout Dscout to refer to diary studies, media surveys, usability tests, or live interviews.
Folder
Project
A container that houses studies and screeners. Projects allow you to organize multi-phase research projects under a single umbrella.
Workspace or team
Workspace
The top-level area for organizing projects, collaborators, and permissions. A researcher may be part of one workspace or multiple.
Invite network or custom network
Bring your own (BYO)
A recruitment option that allows you to invite your own participants (customers, employees, etc.) via a shareable link. These participants are yours and will remain that way: They will not be added to Dscout’s Scout Panel when you invite them to a Dscout study.
Unmoderated test, think-out-loud test, or interaction test
Usability test
A task-based study that offers screen recording, prototype testing, and more.
Live conversation or moderated session
Interview
A scheduled, real-time interview between a moderator from your team and a participant. Stakeholders can be invited as observers and guests with restricted functionality, including the option to observe invisibly.
Video clip or highlight reel
Playlist
A collection of tagged, clipped participant video responses used to share findings with stakeholders.
Video review or notes
Tags
Labels used during analysis to categorize moments by theme or behavior. For example, pain-point: checkout.
These are the UserTesting-specific terms for which users most often find themselves seeking the Dscout equivalent. With those out of the way, let’s dig a little deeper into building your research framework within the Dscout platform.