# Research Interview Guide: [Study title]

> A discussion guide for generative (exploratory) user interviews: the learning goals, the
> session flow, open questions with follow-up probes, and the note-taking set-up. It follows
> common user research practice. Replace every `[bracketed]` value and every row marked
> *Example*. Worked examples use Quillmere Libraries, a fictional city library service, exploring
> how people choose what to read next.

<!--
Guidance: How to use this template
- A guide is a map, not a script. Cover every learning goal, but follow the participant's story
  and reorder questions when it helps.
- Ask about past behaviour ("Tell me about the last time...") rather than opinions about the
  future ("Would you use...?"). People are poor predictors of their own future behaviour.
- Pilot the guide with one colleague and cut anything that does not serve a learning goal.
- Common pitfall: drifting into a usability test or a sales pitch. If you show a design, it is
  a different study; use design/usability-test-plan.
-->

## Study summary

<!-- Guidance: Keep this to what the interviewer needs on one screen during the session. -->

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document ID | [RIG-001] |
| Version and date | [1.0], YYYY-MM-DD |
| Research plan | [design/ux-research-plan, document ID] |
| Interviewer and note-taker | [@interviewer], [@note-taker] |
| Session length | [*Example:* 45 minutes] |
| Participants | [*Example:* 10 adults who borrowed at least one book in the last 3 months] |
| Consent | [design/research-consent-form version 1.0 signed before the session] |

## Learning goals

<!-- Guidance: Three to five goals, written as what you need to learn. Map each question below to a goal so you can see gaps. -->

| ID | Learning goal |
|---|---|
| LG-1 *(Example)* | How people discover what to read next, and which sources they trust |
| LG-2 *(Example)* | What happens between deciding on a book and getting it in hand |
| LG-3 *(Example)* | Where the library fits, and where other options win |

## Session flow and questions

<!-- Guidance: Start broad and easy, move to the core topics, end with reflection. Probes are optional follow-ups; use them when an answer is short or general. -->

| Time | Section | Main question | Probes | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 5 min | Welcome | Introduce, confirm consent and recording, explain there are no right answers | | |
| 5 to 10 min | Warm-up | "Tell me a little about what you like to read." | "When do you usually read?" | LG-1 |
| 10 to 20 min | Discovery | "Think about the last book you started. How did you come across it?" | "What made you pick that one?" "Who else was involved?" | LG-1 |
| 20 to 30 min | Getting the book | "Walk me through what you did from deciding to read it to having it in your hands." | "What was easy? What took longer than you expected?" "Show me, if you can." | LG-2 |
| 30 to 38 min | Alternatives | "When do you use the library, and when do you buy or borrow elsewhere?" | "Tell me about a time the library was not the right choice." | LG-3 |
| 38 to 43 min | Reflection | "If you could change one thing about how you find and get books, what would it be?" | "Why that?" | All |
| 43 to 45 min | Close | "Is there anything I should have asked?" Thank, explain the gift and how to withdraw | | |

Neutral follow-ups to use anywhere: "Tell me more about that." "What happened next?" "Why was
that important?" "Can you give me an example?" Stay silent for a few seconds after an answer;
people often add the most useful detail then.

Questions to avoid: leading ("Wouldn't it be easier if..."), double ("How do you find and reserve
books?"), and hypothetical ("Would you pay for...").

## Note-taking

<!-- Guidance: Use participant codes, record timestamps for strong moments, and separate what was said from your interpretation. -->

| Time | Participant said or did | Learning goal | Interpretation (marked) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 *(Example)* | P03: "I screenshot books people post and forget about them." | LG-1 | Interpretation: discovery and memory are separate steps |

After each session, write the three strongest observations within one hour. Synthesise across
sessions with design/research-synthesis.

## Standard and licence note

Based on common user research interviewing practice; no standard governs discussion guides.
Related templates: design/ux-research-plan, design/research-consent-form,
design/research-synthesis, requirements/stakeholder-interview-guide, product/persona. The text is
original. Template licence: MIT.