User Interview Script Generator

A good user interview script includes open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses, avoids leading questions, follows a logical flow from general to specific topics, includes probing follow-up questions, and is adaptable to the conversation's natural direction. The script should help you achieve your research goals while making the participant feel comfortable.

To prepare for a user interview: 1) Define clear research objectives, 2) Recruit appropriate participants, 3) Create a structured but flexible script, 4) Test your recording equipment, 5) Prepare your environment to be distraction-free, 6) Review any relevant background information about the participant or their use case, and 7) Practice active listening techniques. Remember to send calendar invites with clear instructions to participants ahead of time.

Standard: A balanced mix of questions covering general usage, preferences, and feedback.
Behavioral: Focuses on past experiences and actual behaviors rather than hypothetical situations, using questions like "Tell me about a time when..."
Comparative: Includes questions that compare your product with alternatives or competitors to understand positioning and competitive advantages.
Usability: Focuses on ease of use and includes task-based questions to observe how users interact with specific features or workflows.

For qualitative user interviews, 5-8 participants per user segment is typically sufficient to identify major patterns and insights. Jakob Nielsen's research suggests that 5 users will uncover about 85% of usability issues. For more complex products or diverse user bases, you might need to interview 12-15 participants across different segments. The key is to continue until you reach "saturation" - when additional interviews "saturation" - when additional interviews aren't yielding significant new insights.