Build and challenge patterns
See this course’s project requirements
A service-research brief with neutral interview questions, a consent plan, coded fictional transcripts, and findings linked to evidence.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- A one-page research brief with question, scope and known evidence limits.
- A five-prompt interview guide with a neutral follow-up probe.
- A practice consent script and data-lifecycle table.
- A three-row coded evidence table with interpretation and uncertainty columns.
- A findings map with supporting IDs, contrary evidence, and open questions.
- A complete research packet and concise readout with findings, limits, owner and next evidence needs.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Every required section is present and traceable to the supplied case facts.
- Decisions separate known facts, assumptions, and unresolved questions.
- Records, calculations, and instructions agree with each other and the stated rules.
- The final revision addresses a changed case and explains what someone should do next.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
All North Room service records are fictional. Research question: how do members decide when and how to reserve an evening studio? Three simulated transcripts, not a representative sample: P1 Ari: “The page said open six to nine. I could not tell whether I could start at eight, so I called before booking.” P2 Bo: “Booking a seven o’clock slot worked. The reminder arrived after I had already left home; I wanted it earlier.” P3 Cam: “I like checking times quietly online first. I also could not tell the latest start time, but the desk explained it and I booked.” These statements report experiences; no screen interaction was directly observed. Coded rows: E1/P1 and E3/P3 concern latest-start clarity. E2/P2 concerns reminder timing and explicitly says booking worked. P3 says desk help enabled booking. A draft conclusion reads “Nobody can complete a booking, so remove the booking service.” No other participant or transaction data is available.
A pattern is stronger when its limits and exceptions remain visible.
Build and challenge patterns — guided practice
Develop a finding that accounts for supporting and contrary evidence.
Use a text editor, a free document editor, or paper. Start from the following fictional records; they reset this lesson even if your earlier answer differed. All North Room service records are fictional. Research question: how do members decide when and how to reserve an evening studio? Three simulated transcripts, not a representative sample: P1 Ari: “The page said open six to nine. I could not tell whether I could start at eight, so I called before booking.” P2 Bo: “Booking a seven o’clock slot worked. The reminder arrived after I had already left home; I wanted it earlier.” P3 Cam: “I like checking times quietly online first. I also could not tell the latest start time, but the desk explained it and I booked.” These statements report experiences; no screen interaction was directly observed. Coded rows: E1/P1 and E3/P3 concern latest-start clarity. E2/P2 concerns reminder timing and explicitly says booking worked. P3 says desk help enabled booking. A draft conclusion reads “Nobody can complete a booking, so remove the booking service.” No other participant or transaction data is available.
1. Group related rows
Create a start-time group and a reminder group.
You should see: Start-time group E1/E3; reminder group E2.
Related topics should stay distinguishable.
2. Challenge the draft
Find statements that conflict with “nobody can book.”
You should see: P2 booked successfully; P3 booked after help.
Contrary evidence rules out an overbroad claim.
3. Write a bounded finding
Describe the experience supported by E1 and E3.
You should see: Two supplied accounts show uncertainty about latest start time.
The wording stays within the observed material.
4. Preserve another need
Keep P2’s reminder issue and P3’s channel preference as separate leads.
You should see: Investigate reminder timing and maintain support choices.
A dominant pattern should not erase a different relevant experience.
What to finish
A findings map with supporting IDs, contrary evidence, and open questions.
Watch for this
Counting repeated quotes from one participant as multiple independent people or suppressing exceptions.
How can I tell I understand it?
Check your result against the worked example, then explain the changed case without using an unstated assumption.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
You’ll get an explanation for each answer. Signed in? Your results save to your account.
Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.
Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
The 3 Types of User Interviews: Structured, Semi-Structured, and Unstructured
From NNgroup. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Optional course overview. Follow the written steps below at your own pace.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
Tools and templates
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Sources and further reading
Explore the references behind this lesson.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected planning, neutral questions, listening and interview structure.
Access: Public official service manual; no account.
Reuse: Reference only. Site indicates Open Government Licence v3.0 except where stated; all course prompts and transcripts are original.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected observations, grouping evidence and developing findings without jumping directly to solutions.
Access: Public official service manual; no account.
Reuse: Reference only; no templates or example participant material copied.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected informed voluntary consent and explaining data use; UK organizational context, not a universal legal checklist.
Access: Public official service manual; no account.
Reuse: Reference only; the practice protocol is an original fictional exercise.
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