Ad Hoc Research vs Formal Experimentation

Developers should use ad hoc research when they need to quickly troubleshoot bugs, explore new technologies, or answer specific questions without the overhead of formal research processes meets developers should learn formal experimentation to build more effective and user-centric software, particularly in data-intensive or user-facing applications like web services, mobile apps, or e-commerce platforms. Here's our take.

Ad Hoc Research

Nice Pick

Developers should use ad hoc research when they need to quickly troubleshoot bugs, explore new technologies, or answer specific questions without the overhead of formal research processes

Pros

• It is particularly valuable in agile environments, during prototyping, or when dealing with time-sensitive decisions, as it allows for rapid iteration and adaptation based on real-time findings
• Related to: data-analysis, problem-solving

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Formal Experimentation

Developers should learn formal experimentation to build more effective and user-centric software, particularly in data-intensive or user-facing applications like web services, mobile apps, or e-commerce platforms

Pros

• It is crucial for optimizing features, reducing risks in deployments, and validating assumptions about user behavior, leading to improved product outcomes and business value
• Related to: data-analysis, statistics

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Ad Hoc Research if: You want it is particularly valuable in agile environments, during prototyping, or when dealing with time-sensitive decisions, as it allows for rapid iteration and adaptation based on real-time findings and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Formal Experimentation if: You prioritize it is crucial for optimizing features, reducing risks in deployments, and validating assumptions about user behavior, leading to improved product outcomes and business value over what Ad Hoc Research offers.

The Bottom Line

Ad Hoc Research wins

Developers should use ad hoc research when they need to quickly troubleshoot bugs, explore new technologies, or answer specific questions without the overhead of formal research processes