How to Prepare for a User Research Interview: A Comprehensive Guide

Preparing for a user research interview involves a systematic approach to ensure you get the most valuable insights from your participants. Whether you are a user researcher or are interviewing users as a part of your research, this guide will provide you with the necessary steps and tips to succeed in your mission.

Understanding the Objective and Target Audience

The first step in preparing for a user research interview is to define your objective. What are you trying to learn? Open a conversation with your team to ensure everyone is aligned on the goals of your study. Clarify your target participants by considering their demographic, psychographic, and behavioral characteristics. Understanding who you are targeting will help you tailor your research questions and methods effectively.

Developing Research Metrics and Prioritizing Questions

To measure your success, define the metrics you hope to achieve through the interviews. This could include understanding user needs, pain points, or desired outcomes. Prioritize your research questions so that they align with your objectives. Save any off-topic questions for future studies. Be hyper-focused as time is limited, and only a certain amount of time is available for each user/participant.

Anticipating Next Steps

After the interviews, you need to plan the next steps. Be prepared to present your findings to leadership or stakeholders and discuss potential actions. Consider how you will address resistance or skepticism from stakeholders if they are not supportive of your recommendations.

Preparing Your Method and Script

The careful preparation of your research method and script is vital. Develop a study plan and methodology. Practice your script with colleagues to ensure clarity and coherence in your questioning and flow. This preparation will help you deliver a high-quality interview.

Effective Moderation Techniques

During the interview, there are several key techniques to adopt to ensure the success of the session.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Speak to your participants as if they are your expert. Reassure them that the interview is not a test and share that there are no right or wrong answers. This will help them feel at ease and more likely to share their true thoughts and feelings.

Warming Up and Leading Questions

Begin with some easy, background questions to warm up your participants. Gradually lead into the core questions that are more complex and essential to your study. This technique will help participants transition smoothly into the more critical discussions.

Encouraging Detailed Responses

Let your participants lead the conversation. If you find yourself doing most of the talking, it's time to shift gears and give your participants the floor. User research is about understanding the users, so listen to them carefully.

Avoiding Cognitive Biases

Users often have a cognitive disconnect between what they say and what they actually do. Therefore, ask about current behaviors rather than hypothetical future actions. Additionally, avoid proposing solutions; let the data inform the solutions later.

Neutral Communication

To reduce bias, use techniques like echoing, reflecting statements, and rephrasing. This will help you clarify participants' responses and avoid imposing your own biases. Acting as if you are equally or less knowledgeable than the participant (like a Columbo or boomerang technique) can also be helpful.

Enjoy the Process

Maintaining a positive and nonjudgmental attitude throughout the interview will make the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. Remember, you're there to learn from your participant, not to impress stakeholders.

If you're a newbie researcher, it's natural to feel anxious, especially with a manager present. Focus on the participants and not the stakeholders. Demonstrate your skill by asking insightful questions and listening attentively.

Resources for More UXR Tips

For more user experience research (UXR) tips, follow my YouTube channel:

Zero to UX Method Mondays - USABILITY TESTING

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