Frame a useful research question
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. Sponsor Jo proposes replacing the entire booking page. No evidence about other pages, total customer numbers or the effect of a replacement is available. The study scope is evening reservation decisions, not every service issue.
Discovery investigates the problem before assuming the solution.
Frame a useful research question — guided practice
Turn a proposed fix into a question about an unresolved service experience.
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. Sponsor Jo proposes replacing the entire booking page. No evidence about other pages, total customer numbers or the effect of a replacement is available. The study scope is evening reservation decisions, not every service issue.
1. Separate the proposal
Label a complete page replacement as a possible solution.
You should see: Replacement is a proposal, not an established user need.
Starting with a solution can make questions seek confirmation.
2. Name the uncertainty
State what the three accounts leave worth exploring.
You should see: What information and timing support evening reservation decisions?
A focused uncertainty can shape useful interviews.
3. Set scope
Define the service stage and the evidence boundary.
You should see: Before booking and preparing to attend; three fictional accounts.
Scope prevents the brief from claiming unrelated knowledge.
4. Draft a neutral brief
Write the question, purpose and a non-goal.
You should see: Explore reservation experience; do not assume a full replacement is needed.
A clear brief keeps the later analysis aligned.
What to finish
A one-page research brief with question, scope and known evidence limits.
Watch for this
Writing a research question that already declares the proposed solution correct.
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
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
Tools open in a new tab so you can keep your place here.
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.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Inspected https://www.nngroup.com/videos/3-types-user-interviews/ and its HTML watch link; YouTube oEmbed verified exact title and NNgroup channel. Metadata and source were checked on 2026-09-12; full playback was not tested.
Access: Public YouTube metadata verified; viewing may depend on region/network. Optional; every activity works from written material.
Reuse: Link or embed only. No video download, transcription, or rehosting.
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