#### Background Historically, researchers played more of a consultant style role when working with stage groups. As we have shifted to an embedded model where researchers are integrated into their stage groups they are increasingly conducting their own research. This working model aligns researchers to work on research that is more foundational vs problem and solution validation. #### The Problem Researchers are mostly new to the teams they support and are seeking projects that support development of becoming experts on their users. Foundational research projects elicit this development and is hugely influential within their teams. Currently, it takes some time for a researcher to become familiar with the teams they support and start to recognize foundational research projects on their own. As researchers look to shift more of their time on foundational research projects, it can be hard to know where to start, or what will have the most impact. In addition, teams have not always seem the immediate value these types of projects provide and that can be difficult for a researcher to get buy-in and prioritization on these types of projects. #### The Solution Define a framework to assist in identifying foundational research collaboratively with stage groups, as well as, provide educational content on how to think about foundational research. ## Requirements - Education on foundational research and it's value - Provide researchers with a standardized process and questions to help conduct foundational research - Collaborative with the teams researchers support #### The Approach * Q1: [Create a framework for foundational research through a new handbook page](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/ux-research/-/issues/1800) * Q2: Identify a common approach to sourcing foundational research topics * Q3: Develop educational content for researchers and product team team members on foundational research * Q4: TBD