To avoid leading questions, first recognize if a question can be answered with a simple yes or no, which often signifies a leading question. Leading questions limit rich responses, so instead of yes/no questions, opt for open-ended inquiries like 'Tell me about this experience.' Including adjectives or implied opinions in questions can also lead to bias. To mitigate this, ask about the counter aspect or frame questions with an out, making it easier for respondents to provide honest feedback, such as 'To what extent was this easy? If at all.' When conducting interviews, maintain a mindset open to learning about uncomfortable truths, as this can reveal important details about product adoption. If feedback is overly positive, probe deeper with the counter question to uncover potential weaknesses. After multiple interviews, look for patterns but remain skeptical of assumed truths, prompting deeper questioning when patterns emerge. Conclude interviews with a 15-minute debrief to reflect on findings related to your hypothesis and challenges to it, ensuring that difficult feedback is prioritized for improvement.
Our guest today is Jeanette Mellinger, Head of UX Research at BetterUp and our User Research Expert in Residence at First Round.
In today’s conversation, Jeanette unspools her tested playbook for high-quality customer interviews, with particular advice for founders in the very early days of validating an idea, including:
- The three-step framework for a thorough user-research process
- The biggest mistakes she’s noticed after working with dozens of early-stage companies
- Specific advice for structuring an interview flow and crafting better questions that unlock essential insights
You can follow Jeanette on Twitter at @jnetmell
You can email us questions directly at review@firstround.com or follow us on Twitter @firstround and @brettberson.