{"id":6779,"date":"2023-05-16T20:30:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T12:30:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slash.bravefactor.com\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=6779"},"modified":"2024-01-30T18:02:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T10:02:14","slug":"user-interviews-in-ux-research-types-reasons-and-5-questions-recommended-by-harvard-professionals","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/slash.co\/articles\/user-interviews-in-ux-research-types-reasons-and-5-questions-recommended-by-harvard-professionals\/","title":{"rendered":"User Interviews in UX research &#8211; types, reasons, and 5 questions recommended by Harvard professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not easy to determine the potential of your platform unless you have them scrutinized by real people through user interviews. This way, you can understand the strengths and weaknesses of your product idea before investing your resources blindly. You can navigate and match users&#8217; desires, attitudes, and beliefs by interviewing different people on the same topic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, this article informs about the meaning of user interviews for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbestechcouncil\/2022\/11\/23\/how-ux-research-helps-brands-stay-competitive-in-an-increasingly-saturated-market\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UX research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and its different types. You will also understand its importance, the steps to prepare interview questions and 5 useful queries you should include in this process. So let\u2019s have user interview reviews comprehensively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are user interviews?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">User interviewers is a process of conversation in which UX researchers and developers ask questions about a topic from multiple participants. In return, the participants provide answers based on their experience. The method is also known as in-depth interviews, which occur to understand participants\u2019 thoughts about the product idea.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7836 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/1.-user-interviews-1-385x342.png\" alt=\"1. User Interviews (1)\" width=\"385\" height=\"342\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, these interviews are conducted live in-person or online, and researchers use the output to shape their software solutions accordingly. Besides, the knowledge from users\u2019 answers also helps make an excellent product roadmap strategy. Also, these interviews help software developers to build promising solutions, fulfilling users\u2019 demands.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Also Read<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/slash.co\/articles\/6-steps-to-create-product-strategy-roadmap\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6 Steps to Create a Good Product Roadmap Strategy<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are user interviews legit? Yes, they are legit and vital for stakeholders and software development firms. You can also utilize the user interviews app and user interviews incentive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ethn.io\/incentives\/calculator\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">calculator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to pay the participants.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difference between user interviews and user testing<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">User interviews vs user testing are two different approaches to surveying and getting user feedback. In user testing, UX researchers gather information based on what participants do and say. At the same time, user interviews are based on verbal discussions and participants&#8217; opinions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Features of user interviews<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following are the important traits of user interviews:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always conducted live<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather qualitative and rich user data<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can be semi-structured or structured<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outputs can be behavioral and\/or attitudinal<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of user interviews<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three types of user interviews:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generative user interviews<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contextual user interviews<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuous user interviews<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7837 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/2.-user-interviews-385x217.png\" alt=\"2. User Interviews\" width=\"385\" height=\"217\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 385px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 385\/217;\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Generative user interviews <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generative user interviews are well-structured and provide answers to the most puzzling questions. Generative interviews are usually conducted at the earliest design and development stages, especially when you\u2019re struggling with finding ideas. However, these are not typical brainstorming sessions but proper researchable questions that offer specific and clear answers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">C<strong>ontextual user interviews <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contextual are semi-structured user interviews in which researchers question participants in their own environment. Since the environment is familiar, users feel comfortable and answers queries without any subconscious pressure of a lab or virtual setting. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike the previous type, these interviews require participants to complete several tasks while answering questions. This may involve usability testing by making the participant interact with a dummy program or shadowing an individual interviewee in their workplace,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Continuous user interviews <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In continuous user interviews, companies gather user feedback by interacting with their customers every week. This type of interview intends to collect the experience of user interview participants when exposed to a specific product. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, if you are developing a SaaS product, you may give its access to recruited users from an early stage. With each new development stage, users will interact with new features or changes in the system. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, you will take continuous user interviews to know their likes and dislikes about the additions or amendments. This process will help you change the current user experience to ensure it matches users\u2019 needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Also Read<\/i><\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/slash.co\/articles\/a-guidebook-to-saas-product-development-process\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Guidebook to SaaS Product Development Process<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 Reasons why you must conduct user interviews for UX research<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">User interviews help find the missing piece of the puzzle so you can continue developing outstanding products. A few reasons why you should conduct interviews are:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-7838 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/3.-user-interviews-385x146.png\" alt=\"3. User Interviews\" width=\"385\" height=\"146\" title=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 385px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 385\/146;\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Idea validation from the users\u2019 Point of View : <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">User interviews help verify the success rate of your product in advance. Based on users\u2019 answers, you can rationally assume whether or not your software idea has a future in the current market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Get to know your hidden competition : <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the greatest benefits of these interviews is knowing what technology and software real people use or prefer. The answers may also provide you with names of old and new players offering a similar product that you didn\u2019t know previously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Explore more uses of your product : <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When personas interact with your program during user interviews, they check A to Z features of your solution. And sometimes, you get to know other benefits of your product that you didn\u2019t include in the design intentionally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Add more value to your current design Z: <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Likewise, these interview sessions help you identify bottlenecks and missing features from the users\u2019 perspective. You can use this information to develop your existing UX design that increases your product value.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Understanding your correct target audience : <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies like user interviews because they allow them to analyze the right age group, location, and market to launch their product. This saves you the time and money you would spend on unnecessary segments.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 Key steps to prepare for user interviews<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how do you organise user interviews? Here\u2019s the solution in 3 essential steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1: Set clear goals<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When taking user interviews, you must form a concrete, clear, and concise goal. An ideal interview must help you understand your users\u2019 motivation and behavior. To do that, you must consider the product stakeholders&#8217; demands and their expectations from this session.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, you should tailor your interview based on their goals. Most importantly, avoid going excessively broad with your scope. Otherwise, user interviews will collect irrelevant information.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2: Recruit the right interviewees<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After setting up a goal, you need to work on recruiting for user interviews. Only correct recruitment can lead to correct outcomes. So, find participants that match your goals based on the user persona. If you need to interview multiple user personas, you should decide whether you want to pick them from single or several user groups.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can source candidates for user interviews through the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Street interviews<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Personal references<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Current or former customers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3: Create relevant interview questions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make a list of questions that help you get answers. Start your interview with greetings followed by questions that help introduce users. Ask <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/reetikag-mahajan.medium.com\/what-are-open-ended-questions-with-examples-deb5acce16e0\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">open-ended questions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ignore closed-ended questions as much as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 User interview example questions for UX research by Harvard University<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are the 5 questions examples for user interviews you should include in your next session.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What does your weekday look like?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much time do you prefer spending on [task\/problem]?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the huge pain point related to [task\/problem]?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What makes you trust this product?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Was there something unexpected or surprising about this product?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An idea can change the world, but only if it&#8217;s accepted by the customers, which is only possible through user interviews. User experience plays a vital role in any digital product\u2019s success. A good UX design comprises different characteristics, including user-friendliness, accessibility, and usability. And user interviews help you see your product\u2019s value through customers\u2019 eyes.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Slash, we design and develop high-calibre digital products catering to your customers\u2019 needs. Our brilliant tech squad conduct pre and post-user interviews so your product has all the heart-conquering features to ensure successful outcomes. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/slash.co\/tech-squads\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to build leading software solutions using the latest tech stack and agile principles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>QNAs UX Research<\/h2>\n<p><strong>What and how do user interviews pay? <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, user interviews pay around $10 to $50 per session. The payment is transferred to the participants through direct bank transfers or PayPal depending on the platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Are user interviews safe? <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, user interviews are safe. In fact, many companies ask participants to sign an NDA to prevent information leaks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>What is the duration of user interviews? <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maximum duration of user interviews is 60 minutes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>What is the minimum number of participants in user interviews? <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There should be at least 5 to 7 participants in user interviews.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>How many user interviews do you need? <\/strong><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, most UX researchers get answers after 6 to 12 user interviews. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12294,"parent":0,"template":"","resource-topic":[52],"resource-type":[43],"class_list":["post-6779","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","resource-topic-user-research","resource-type-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources\/6779","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resources"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/resources"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6779"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"resource-topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-topic?post=6779"},{"taxonomy":"resource-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slash.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/resource-type?post=6779"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}