Stop Asking Bad Questions
How to Craft Research Questions That Actually Work
The questions you ask during interviews, surveys, or usability tests shape the quality of insights you gather. Poorly worded or biased questions can confuse participants or lead to misleading conclusions. On the other hand, well-crafted questions build trust, spark meaningful conversation, and uncover insights that lead to better design decisions.
Today’s newsletter will help you refine your approach to asking questions and avoid the common pitfalls researchers face.
Have you ever heard someone on your team say, “I am the user”?
In her latest video, Jen Blatz from BlatzChatz shares clever responses to set your teammates and executives straight when they make this infamous claim. Using humor and insight, Jen shows how to politely remind everyone why UX research is essential to understanding real users—not just internal opinions.
Watch her video here:
👉 This thought-provoking feature is brought to you by BlatzChatz, where UX research meets practical wisdom.
Today’s Highlights
Key Insight: Crafting Questions That Drive Actionable UX Research
Why Good Questions Matter
Open vs. Closed Questions: When to Use Each
Common Mistakes to Avoid in UX Research Questions
How to Test and Refine Your Questions
Practical Tips: Write Questions That Build Trust
UX Question of the Week
UXCON’25: Early-bird tickets available!
Job Board: Fresh UX Roles
Resource Corner: Tools and Reads to Sharpen Your Research Skills
Tool of the Week
Key Insight: Crafting Questions That Drive Actionable UX Research
Good research questions don’t just collect data—they uncover user needs, motivations, and frustrations. Here’s how to ask smarter questions that lead to better insights:
1. Why Good Questions Matter
The quality of your research depends on the clarity and neutrality of your questions. Well-crafted questions can help you:
Uncover Root Causes: Instead of asking “Do you like this feature?”, explore “What do you typically do when [this need] arises?”.
Avoid Confirmation Bias: Neutral phrasing encourages authentic responses.
Encourage Honest Feedback: Participants are more open when they feel your questions are clear, thoughtful, and judgment-free.
2. Open vs. Closed Questions: When to Use Each
Open Questions
Goal: Uncover detailed insights and context.
Example: “Can you walk me through the last time you used this feature?”
Closed Questions
Goal: Gather specific feedback or validation.
Example: “Do you use this feature daily?”
Quick Tip: Start with open-ended questions to explore deeper insights, then use closed questions for clarification or validation.
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid in UX Research Questions
Leading Questions: Don’t bias users with phrasing like, “Wouldn’t you agree this feature is helpful?” Instead, ask, “How do you feel about this feature?”
Overloading Questions: Avoid piling multiple asks into one, like “How would you use this feature to solve X, Y, and Z?” Break it into smaller, focused questions.
Vague Questions: Don’t ask, “What do you think of this?” Add specificity, like “What do you think of this layout’s navigation?”
4. How to Test and Refine Your Questions
Run a pilot test to spot confusing or biased phrasing. Use real participants or even colleagues to get feedback on your questions before you launch. A small tweak can mean the difference between vague responses and actionable insights.
Practical Tips: Write Questions That Build Trust
Start with Rapport-Building Questions
Example: “Can you tell me about how you normally use [product]?”Avoid Assumptions
Instead of: “What do you dislike about this feature?”
Ask: “How do you feel about this feature?”Ask One Question at a Time
Avoid multi-part questions.Be Respectful of the Participant Time
Stick to what’s essential—long sessions can lead to participant fatigue.
This week’s question: “What’s One Way to Make Research More Engaging for Stakeholders?
This Week’s Answer:
Don’t just present findings—tell a story.
Make stakeholders feel what the users feel by weaving narratives around the research. Instead of saying, “40% of users struggle with navigation,” bring it to life with a relatable user quotes, photos, or videos from participants. Let your stakeholders see the users in action.
Tie your insights back to business goals. Frame the research insights in terms of how they affect key business metrics (e.g., conversion rates, user retention). This ensures stakeholders see the value of the research in their terms.
Have a burning UX question? Share it HERE!, and we might answer it in our next issue.
UXCON '25 Early-Bird Tickets Are Live! 🚀
Early-bird tickets for UXCON '25 are here—and available for the next 30 days! Don’t miss your chance to lock in the best price and join us for hands-on workshops, amazing networking, and inspiring speakers.
UX Researcher (6 Month Contract) - Canada
PointClickCare / United States (Remote) / $111K/yr - $120K/yr
Research Intern - UX Research and Design (Health AI)
Microsoft / Redmond, WA (Hybrid) / $12.9K/yr - $13.9K/yr
DWP Digital / Manchester, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid) / £42.6K/yr - £45.1K/yr
In Product / England, United Kingdom (Remote) / £38K/yr - £40K/yr
Lyft / Toronto, ON (Hybrid)/ Salary *not stated*
Microsoft / Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (Hybrid) / Salary *not stated*
Resource Corner: Tools and Reads to Sharpen Your Research Skills
Book: Think Like a UX Researcher by David Travis – A guide to asking the right questions.
Article: How to Write Better UX Questions by Nielsen Norman Group – A detailed guide to crafting research questions.
Tool: Dovetail – Organize and analyze research data.
Explore Dovetail HereVideo: User Research in Action – A YouTube playlist showing real research workflows.
Tool of the Week: Research Co-pilot
Research Co-pilot is your go-to AI-powered assistant, designed to support and enhance every aspect of your UX journey.
Here’s how Research Co-pilot can supercharge your workflow:
Craft effective questions: Generate user interview questions that drive meaningful insights.
Remove bias: Detect and refine problematic wording for unbiased research.
Pilot test with ease: Simulate interviews to assess question clarity and relevance.
Streamline analysis: Organize and summarize responses to save time on synthesis.
… and a host of other tailored features to make your research smarter, faster, and more impactful.
Final Note | Stop Asking Bad Questions
Asking the right questions leads to better insights—and better insights lead to better products. Refine your approach, and you’ll turn every research session into actionable gold.
Thanks for being part of the UXU community! If you enjoyed today’s insights, share this with a friend or colleague who could benefit.
— The UXU Team
🎧 Listen to Today's Topic Instead!
Don't have time to read? No worries! We've got you covered with an audio version of today's topic. Whether you're multitasking or simply prefer to listen, tune in below and stay informed: