UX User Interviews 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the 'five whys' technique used for in user interviews?
- Counting the number of usability errors
- Drilling down to root causes of user behavior (Correct answer)
- Structuring the interview into five segments
- Verifying five key requirements
Correct answer: Drilling down to root causes of user behavior
The five whys technique involves repeatedly asking 'why' to peel back surface-level answers and uncover the underlying motivation or problem.
Question 2: Which type of interview question asks participants to describe a specific past experience?
- Hypothetical question
- Critical incident question (Correct answer)
- Rating scale question
- Dichotomous question
Correct answer: Critical incident question
Critical incident questions ask participants to recall a specific event, yielding concrete behavioral data rather than general opinions.
Question 3: Why should UX researchers avoid asking 'Would you use this feature?' during interviews?
- It takes too long to answer
- It is a hypothetical question that may not predict real behavior (Correct answer)
- It reveals confidential product information
- It requires a numeric response
Correct answer: It is a hypothetical question that may not predict real behavior
Hypothetical questions about future behavior are unreliable because people's stated intentions often differ from their actual actions.
Question 4: What is rapport-building at the start of a user interview designed to achieve?
- Collect demographic data efficiently
- Make the participant feel at ease so they speak more openly (Correct answer)
- Demonstrate the researcher's expertise
- Test the recording equipment
Correct answer: Make the participant feel at ease so they speak more openly
Establishing rapport reduces anxiety and creates psychological safety, encouraging participants to share honest and candid responses.
Question 5: When should a UX researcher share the interview's consent form with the participant?
- After the interview concludes
- At the very beginning, before any questions are asked (Correct answer)
- During the debrief at the end
- Only if the participant requests it
Correct answer: At the very beginning, before any questions are asked
Informed consent must be obtained before data collection begins to ensure the participant understands their rights and agrees to participation.
Question 6: What is a 'contextual interview' in UX research?
- An interview conducted in the participant's natural environment (Correct answer)
- An interview about a product's context menu
- A remote interview with no video
- An interview that uses context clues to skip questions
Correct answer: An interview conducted in the participant's natural environment
Contextual interviews are conducted in the environment where the product is actually used, revealing real-world behaviors and workarounds.
UX User Interviews 2
What is the 'five whys' technique used for in user interviews?