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Make sense of research notes template

Transform notes from interviews or observations into actionable insights

Make sense of research notes

Use this template to record qualitative research, synthesize your notes, and turn them into actionable insights.

Easily communicate and align on research outcomes by collecting feedback and observations in a shared, centralized location.

Research notes template benefits

  • Capture all your ideas and notes in a single, shared place

  • Add images, links, or other media to your mural to make your notes richer

  • Easily share your notes with team members and other stakeholders

  • Update your notes from anywhere using the Mural apps for iOS and Android, so everything stays current in real time

How to use the research notes template

To get the most out of the Mural research notes template, created by LUMA Institute, follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Identify the research topic you want to analyze

The first step is to gather any research notes you have into the Mural template; then, transfer your content onto sticky notes, making sure to limit each sticky note to one idea.

Step 2: Color code your sticky notes by theme

Once you’ve gathered the materials and organized the content into sticky notes, have your team come together and analyze the content, color coding each sticky note according to the key (or a modified version of the key that you define).

Step 3: Cluster notes together by theme and discuss

Now that you’ve color coded your sticky notes, move them over to the discussion area and cluster them into groups according to overarching themes that you observe in the information.

Step 4: Use your discoveries to drive next steps

Don’t lose the momentum! Take advantage of the progress you’ve made in translating your research notes into groups and themes, and press on to create action items and next steps with your team using another template from the LUMA System™, like the untangle a complex problem template — also free to use and edit.

Tips for running using the research notes template

To get the most out of the Mural research notes template, you should:

  • Make sure that your notes are pasted into the mural and curated appropriately, so that no more than one idea appears on each sticky note — this will make your analysis clearer and more impactful

  • Use Mural’s private mode to avoid groupthink when color-coding ideas with your team

  • Use tags for sticky notes and comments to help refine your groups and add any relevant context that may be of use

Mural makes it easy to quickly collect, analyze, and organize your research

With Mural, it’s easy to collaboratively curate and organize your research, get everyone’s input, and define concrete next steps.
Sticky notes & text

Sticky notes & text

Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.

Mapping and diagramming

Mapping and diagramming

Build quick and easy visualizations of flows, maps, processes, hierarchies, journeys, and more.

Outline navigation & instructions

Outline navigation & instructions

Structure your mural for easy navigation, then add activity instructions for collaborators.

Infinite & resizable canvas options

Infinite & resizable canvas options

Choose the right canvas for your collaboration goals — flexibility without limits.

Create & publish custom templates

Create & publish custom templates

Save time and scale methods across your organization by publishing templates to your workspace.

Find & filter

Find & filter

Search and filter by color, last edited by, and more to unlock patterns and enhance visual collaboration.

Make sense of research notes template frequently asked questions

How do you write research notes?

What should be included in research notes?

What are some overlooked ways to get more out of your research notes?

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Mural is the only platform that offers both a shared workspace and training on the LUMA System™, a practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply.