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By Meg McMahon
Taking notes is a vital part of the User Research process. It helps all of the researchers gain a shared understanding of the interviews during the analysis phase of the project.
As a note taker, you need to decide what is important to include to inform the tasks or questions asked in the interview and what information could help answer the research questions or further the goals of the study. Note taking is not creating a transcript (if you need a transcript, we can use dictation software).
Before Taking Notes
- Become familiar with the following documents and aspects of the project: the project plan, script, and any important background information on the project.
- Make sure all researchers agree on the method of notetaking. Depending on the project, we may choose to take one of the following approaches:
- Use a shared notes grid with a column for each participant and rows for each task or question.
- Use a notes doc template; each participant has their own document that includes the participant details and the questions.
- Use Dovetail, a web-based note taking tool or a different web-based tool.
- Check the moderator notes field for context for this specific interview. (This is found at the bottom of a shared notes grid, at the top of a participant notes doc, or at the top of a Dovetail participant area.)
Note Taking
It is the note takers job to note anything that actually happened in the meeting. This may include things that were said as well as sounds or body language that may indicate feelings. In capturing notes pay attention to the following:
- Quotes
- Actions
- Keywords
- Themes
- Patterns
- Frustrations
- “Wow” or positive moments
- Gaps in knowledge, moments when a participant doesn’t have the necessary knowledge in relation to the task or question.
Do’s and Don’ts of Notetaking
Use the word “Participant”
At the URC we refer to all the individuals who participate in our studies as “participant” not user, interviewee, or by their name.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| 7:53] Participant notes they are not aware of what kind of file to attach under “attach file” on the form. | [7:53] User notes they are not aware of what kind of file to attach under “attach file” on the form. |
Add timestamp of the insight
Timestamps are helpful to have for reference, especially if video clips are needed for the report.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| [3:45] Participant says, “I am frustrated with the specificity of the search.” | Participant says, “I am frustrated with the specificity of the search.” |
Don’t make assumptions in the notes, stay true to the facts
When taking notes, state what happens opposed to assuming behavior of the participant or making generalizations about the system.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| [4:45] Participant doesn’t notice the search icon on the page. | [4:45] The search icon is not noticeable. |
Keep a consistent format
Be sure to stay in the chosen format for the notes.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| [23:25] Participant says she doesn't get many questions after filling it out and she believes the form makes sense. | Participant doesn’t get many questions after filling it out She believes the form makes sense |
Use quotations when it makes an impact
If a participant says something that is directly related to a theme you find during analysis, it is helpful to record the quote as a record of that theme within the research.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| Theme: participants collaboratively search with a collection specialist as a part of the search process. This was noted to build researchers' special collections research skills. [9:23] Participant says, “[Working with a Collection Specialist] is having a translator that understands the collection, and is willing to look at it through my eyes or my research questions.” | Theme: participants collaboratively search with a collection specialist as a part of the search process. This was noted to build researchers' special collections research skills. [9:23] Participant says, “I’m confused on where to click first, oh Ask A Librarian.” |
Paraphrase when appropriate
If a participant’s quote is long and includes pieces of information that are not directly related to the key finding with the phrase, shorten the phrase.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| [8:12] Participant says she doesn't know what she is supposed to fill in, "All the fields are mixed in together, and every time I fill out the form I wonder did I do everything I need to?" | [8:12] Participant says she doesn't know what she is supposed to fill in, "these things are left empty until something else happens or someone else needs to go in. It's just all mixed in together, and so that always makes me every time I'm like, okay, wait, Did I? Still, and everything I need to?" |
Look for unspoken body language or emotions
Add notes about what body language a participant is using when speaking or trying to accomplish a task.
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
| [32:39] Participant slumps back in their chair, “It’s frustrating, I’ve gotten used to it, though it’s not intuitive for new people.” | [32:39] “It’s frustrating, I’ve gotten used to it, though it’s not intuitive for new people.” |
