4 Types Of User Interview Questions To Avoid
A user interview is a research technique used to gather information and insights from individuals who are representative of a target user group or audience. It is a qualitative research method commonly used in fields such as user experience design, product development, market research, and usability testing.
"If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses."
Henry Ford
Question To Avoid
1. Leading Questions
Leading questions should generally be avoided as they can bias the interviewee's responses and compromise the integrity of the research. The goal of a UX interview is to gather unbiased insights and understand the user's perspective. The goal is to encourage interviewees to share their genuine thoughts and experiences, without influencing their responses through leading questions.
Example
Don't you think our product is the most innovative solution in the market?
2. Binary Questions
Binary questions, which elicit a simple "yes" or "no" response, are generally not the ideal approach in UX interviews as they can restrict the interviewee's ability to provide detailed and nuanced feedback. However, in certain specific cases, binary questions can still serve a purpose in gathering specific information or confirming understanding. It is important to exercise caution and use binary questions sparingly, supplementing them with open-ended questions to encourage interviewees to share more comprehensive insights, thoughts, and experiences.
Example
Have you ever used the search feature on our website?
3. Asking Users What They Want/Need
In a UX interview, gathering insights into users' needs, preferences, and desires is crucial for informing the design process. However, it is essential to approach this topic with a focus on understanding users' underlying motivations and pain points, rather than solely relying on their explicit requests. By delving deeper into their experiences and exploring the reasons behind their preferences, we can gain more valuable insights. This approach helps uncover unmet needs, discover innovative solutions, and create a more user-centered design.
Example
What specific features would you like to see in a product/service like ours that would better meet your needs or enhance your experience?
4. What they would do in hypothetical scenarios?
Hypothetical questions should generally be avoided in UX interviews because they can elicit speculative or imagined responses rather than grounded, real-life experiences. Users' hypothetical responses may not align with their actual behavior or preferences when faced with a real situation. People tend to make different decisions when confronted with real choices and constraints compared to speculative scenarios.
Example
When searching for a specific product on our website, imagine that the search results don't display the items you were looking for. How would you expect the system to handle this situation?