Sunderam stresses the importance of starting any research project by clearly defining the desired change in user behavior or business metrics you hope to achieve. He advises crafting your research methodology around well-thought-out research questions that are concrete and action-oriented. Sunderam also emphasizes the value of triangulating different qualitative and quantitative data sources to gain a robust understanding of users.
Some additional tips include avoiding leading questions, recognizing that sample size matters less than study design, and understanding the varying strengths of different research methods. Overall, this practical guide from an experienced practitioner provides valuable guidance on integrating foundational user research practices into the product design process.