UX User Interviews 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a semi-structured interview in UX research?
- To follow a rigid script word for word
- To allow flexibility while covering key topics (Correct answer)
- To collect quantitative data only
- To test product usability directly
Correct answer: To allow flexibility while covering key topics
Semi-structured interviews use a guide with key questions but allow the researcher to probe and explore unexpected topics as they arise.
Question 2: Which technique helps a UX researcher avoid leading the participant during an interview?
- Closed questions
- Suggestive phrasing
- Neutral open-ended questions (Correct answer)
- Confirming assumptions aloud
Correct answer: Neutral open-ended questions
Neutral open-ended questions invite participants to share their own perspective without steering them toward a particular answer.
Question 3: When a participant goes off-topic during an interview, the best approach is to:
- Immediately redirect them with a new question
- End the interview early
- Listen briefly, then gently redirect with a transition phrase (Correct answer)
- Ignore the digression and continue reading the script
Correct answer: Listen briefly, then gently redirect with a transition phrase
Briefly acknowledging the digression before redirecting shows respect for the participant while keeping the session productive.
Question 4: What does 'probing' mean in the context of user interviews?
- Recording the session without consent
- Asking follow-up questions to get deeper insight (Correct answer)
- Skipping questions the participant finds difficult
- Summarizing the interview for the participant
Correct answer: Asking follow-up questions to get deeper insight
Probing involves asking follow-up questions like 'Can you tell me more about that?' to uncover richer, more detailed responses.
Question 5: How many participants is typically sufficient for qualitative user interviews to reach thematic saturation?
- 3-5
- 5-8 (Correct answer)
- 10-15
- 25-30
Correct answer: 5-8
Research by Nielsen Norman Group suggests 5-8 participants often reveal most major themes in qualitative studies, though complex topics may require more.
Question 6: Which of the following is a best practice for note-taking during a user interview?
- Write down only your interpretations
- Capture direct quotes and observable behaviors verbatim (Correct answer)
- Focus solely on positive feedback
- Delegate all note-taking to the participant
Correct answer: Capture direct quotes and observable behaviors verbatim
Capturing verbatim quotes and observable behaviors preserves the participant's actual words, reducing researcher bias during analysis.
UX User Interviews 1
What is the primary purpose of a semi-structured interview in UX research?