Interviewing Users: Evolving Perspectives and Umpteen Paths

This sold-out event was originally held live on January 10, 2024. All proceeds were donated to the International Rescue Committee.

The initial session included an intimate conversation with Steve about research evolution, updating the book "Interviewing Users," and finding continual inspiration. 

This video replay includes 20 minutes of bonus content Steve generously added to address questions we were not able to cover during the live event.

The Interviewing Users 2nd edition is available to purchase here [ENTER DISCOUNT CODE “CURIOSITYTANK” TO RECEIVE 20% OFF before 2/13/24] and here. 

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Below are direct links to the individual assets: 

• The recording is here.

• Steve's seven go-to resources to support his user research practice are here. 

• Steve’s additional 20-minute bonus Q&A begins at timestamp 1:27.

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Steve shares his perspective on the following "good, hard, meaty" questions in the bonus content:

1. What are your thoughts on recent changes in the UX research field, such as reductions in research staff and pushes to democratize research? Why are they taking place, what do you anticipate will happen next, and how can (or should) researchers adapt? Also, do you think this a temporary change (to save money) or a permanent change that’s here to stay?

2. What are some emerging applications of UX research that you are excited about? For example, accessibility user research…

3. Do you think anyone can/should interview users, or only researchers? How much monitoring/support would you recommend non-researchers conducting interviews have?

4. How should corporate leadership ideally measure the success of UX research? How much responsibility should be put on researchers for making an impact on the final user experience? How much responsibility should they have to democratize/not democratize research, on top of our other responsibilities? Where does our job “end” so to speak?

5. What are some concerns you have about the role of research at companies? When are researchers set up to fail? When are they set up to succeed? What can be done if you are at a company where you are not set up to succeed?

6. What about the expectation for “democratization”? (Is this covered in the book?)

7. Could you speak more about the analysis and synthesis practices? Speak more about those differences that you observe between academia and industry.

8. Would love to hear your thoughts on “reduced attention spans” when it comes to stakeholders consuming reports. Seems like reports over 1 page are considered too detailed, and team members don’t want to make the time for them. They just want to know the “top takeaways.”

   Please share your feedback on this event with Curiosity Tank, follow Steve on LinkedIn, sign up for his blog, and don’t forget to take advantage of your 20% discount on the 2nd Edition of Interviewing Users (details above).