# Interview Guide

## Study Info

- **Study:** [Name]
- **Interviewer:** [Name]
- **Date:** [Date]
- **Participant:** [ID/Name]

## Study Goal

> [One sentence describing what you want to learn]

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## Introduction (5 min)

> Read this to the participant:

"Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today. I'm [name], a [role] working on [project]. I'm here to learn about your experience with [topic].

A few things before we start:
- There are no right or wrong answers — I'm genuinely interested in how you see things
- I may ask follow-up questions to understand better; it's not because you said something wrong
- Everything you share will be used to improve our product
- Your name won't be attached to specific quotes unless you give permission
- Do you mind if I record this so I can focus on our conversation instead of notes?

Do you have any questions before we start?"

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## Warmup Questions (5 min)

> Easy factual questions to build rapport.

1. Tell me a bit about your role. What does a typical day look like?
2. [Context question relevant to the study topic]

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## Core Questions (30-40 min)

> Story-based questions about actual past behavior. Use "Tell me more about that" liberally.

### Topic 1: [Theme]

3. Tell me about the last time you [relevant activity].
   - Walk me through what happened from the beginning.
   - What happened next?
   - How did that make you feel?

4. [Follow-up question about this topic]

### Topic 2: [Theme]

5. Can you think of a specific time when [relevant situation]?
   - What did you try first?
   - What were you hoping would happen?
   - What actually happened?

6. [Follow-up question about this topic]

### Topic 3: [Theme]

7. Tell me about a time when [relevant challenge or pain point].
   - What did you try before that?
   - Why was that important to you?

8. [Follow-up question about this topic]

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## Probing Questions (use as needed)

Keep these ready to deepen any response:

- "Tell me more about that."
- "What do you mean by [their word]?"
- "Can you give me a specific example?"
- "Why was that important to you?"
- "What were you expecting to happen?"
- "What did you try before/after that?"
- "How did that make you feel?"
- "Who else was involved?"
- "What would have made that easier?"

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## Closing (5 min)

9. Is there anything about [topic] that I didn't ask about but you think is important?
10. Is there anything you'd like to ask me?

> Thank them sincerely. Explain next steps if applicable. Provide incentive.

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## Post-Interview (complete within 1 hour)

### Quick Debrief

- **Top 3 observations:**
  1. [Observation]
  2. [Observation]
  3. [Observation]

- **Surprising findings:** [What challenged your assumptions?]

- **Key quotes:**
  1. "[Quote]"
  2. "[Quote]"

- **Opportunities identified:** [Needs, pain points, desires surfaced]

- **Questions for next interview:** [Anything to add or adjust?]
