UX interview vs. UX research questions: Have you been doing it right?

User research is crucial for UX designers as it helps validate assumptions, understand users, and provide actionable insights, but its effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of the research, which hinges on asking the right questions. Differentiating between high-level research questions and specific interview questions is vital; the former guides the research process while the latter uncovers insights to answer the research questions. Starting with a focused research question helps streamline the process, ensuring resources are used efficiently and leading to valuable insights. Formulating these questions involves tying them to business objectives, keeping them open-ended, and balancing their scope to ensure they are neither too broad nor too narrow. The benefits of properly formulating research questions include improved focus, easier communication with stakeholders, better alignment, and more effective analysis. Investing time upfront to develop well-structured research questions ensures the research is fast, cost-effective, and delivers actionable insights, ultimately aiding in better design decisions and enhancing the value of research efforts.