In this episode, Glenn, a UX research consultant, shares his insights on why asking "why" in user research can sometimes be a terrible idea. He explains how psychology plays a role in people’s ability to truthfully answer "why" questions and how asking them can lead to rationalization, giving us responses that may not reflect true motivations.

👉 If you have any tips on fantastic speakers from across the globe, feedback, or any questions, we’d love to hear from you too. Reach out to geekspodcast@uxtweak.com

🔎 Do you want to know more? Check out this episode at:

https://www.uxtweak.com/podcast/glenn-stevens-why-not-to-ask-why/

Episode highlights

00:03:30 – Why asking "why" in user research can be problematic
00:05:43 – The psychology behind people's inability to explain why truthfully
00:12:28 – Using storytelling as a more effective method for gathering insights
00:17:18 – The dangers of rationalization in interviews and how to avoid it
00:29:59 – Why asking "why" in surveys can be more acceptable
00:32:03 – Where to follow Glenn for more insights

About our guest Glenn Stevens

Glenn, a research strategist based in Belgium, helps organisations advance their research practice and de-risk their decisions by gaining evidence about what their customers need and want. He mixes qualitative and quantitative methods to observe what people need, ask them about it or measure it. Driven to enhance the effectiveness and validity of insights, he's passionate about optimising research design and finetuning questions and tasks.

Over nearly a decade as a UX contractor, he's partnered with clients like Ahold Delhaize, Novartis, Accountable, Belfius, Auth0 and Red Cross. Currently, he helps ING expand their research methodologies, influence and reach.

🔎 Where to follow Glenn

LinkedIn

👉 Did you know that UXtweak also offers a series of webinars packed with practical knowledge for UX professionals? Check out the episode with Kevin Liang, where he talks about driving strategy in reactive environments.

About this podcast:

Welcome to UX Research Geeks, where Tina Ličková, a researcher and strategist, talks with researchers from around the globe about topics that matter to them.

🐝 Brought to you by UXtweak, an all-in-one UX research software. Start your research for free at: https://www.uxtweak.com/ 👈

🐝 Where to follow UXtweak:

LinkedIn / Instagram / YouTube / Facebook / Twitter

The Art of the Brand

The Joke Tiffany & Co Can't Recover From

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts