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Research Repository Template for User Research
Free research repository template for product teams. Build a searchable, organized archive of user research findings that the entire team can access...
Updated 2026-03-05
Research Repository
| # | Research Question | Method | Participants | Key Finding | Confidence | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||||
| 2 | |||||||
| 3 | |||||||
| 4 | |||||||
| 5 |
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
Edit the values above to try it with your own data. Your changes are saved locally.
Get this template
Choose your preferred format. Google Sheets and Notion are free, no account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tool should I use for the research repository?+
Dovetail is the purpose-built option and works well for teams that do heavy qualitative research. Notion is the most common choice for product teams because it is flexible, searchable, and already part of most team workflows. Airtable works if you prefer a structured database with views and filters. The tool matters less than the habit. A consistently maintained Google Sheet beats an abandoned Dovetail instance.
How do I get the team to actually use the repository?+
Three tactics: (1) Cite repository insights in every PRD and roadmap discussion. When people see insights being referenced in decisions, they start consulting the repository themselves. (2) Make adding entries easy. The insight card template should take 10-15 minutes to complete, not 45 minutes. (3) Show monthly "insights in action" updates: highlight 2-3 times the repository influenced a real decision. Usage follows demonstrated value.
Should I store raw research data (recordings, transcripts) in the repository?+
No. Store raw data wherever it naturally lives (Zoom recordings in a shared drive, transcripts in a transcription tool, survey data in the survey tool). The repository stores synthesized insights with links to the raw sources. Mixing raw data and synthesized insights makes the repository hard to search and harder to maintain.
How do I handle conflicting insights?+
Link them. Create a new insight card that acknowledges the conflict: "INS-042 found that enterprise admins want audit logs, while INS-058 found that enterprise end-users never check audit logs." Add a "So What" that frames the product decision: "The audit log is an admin tool, not an end-user tool. Design it for the admin persona." Conflicting insights are normal and valuable. They sharpen your understanding of different user segments.
How long does it take before the repository becomes useful?+
Most teams report the repository reaching a "tipping point" at around 40-60 insight cards, typically 3-4 months after starting. At that point, the density of insights is high enough that most product questions can be partially answered by searching the repository first. The first two months require discipline. The [Product Discovery Handbook](/discovery-guide) has more guidance on building research habits that feed the repository consistently. ---
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