When research notes blend observations with immediate interpretations, it can obscure the actual user behavior. This makes it harder for your team to agree on what happened and why. Clear, objective notes are essential for a shared understanding and more reliable analysis.
Distinguishing facts from inferences
When taking notes, focus on observable actions and literal statements. Document what a participant did and said, not what you think they felt or intended. For instance, instead of writing 'the user was confused,' record 'the user paused for 5 seconds and frowned before clicking the back button.' This approach helps keep raw data neutral, allowing your team to inspect the evidence and collaborate on interpretations later.
Recording behavior and literal speech
For each observation, include the task step and context. For example, imagine a hypothetical participant completing a sign-up on their phone. If they returned three times to the 'address' field, you might note: 'Step: Address entry. Behavior: User typed, deleted, re-typed, deleted, and typed a third time. Speech: "I don't know if it's the number or the apartment here"'. This separates the observed action and literal quote from any immediate interpretation.
Noting hypotheses and questions
Use clear markers like '[HYPOTHESIS]' or '[QUESTION]' to distinguish your interpretations and follow-up inquiries from raw observations. After documenting the behavior and literal speech, you could add: '[HYPOTHESIS] The "apartment" field label might be unclear. [QUESTION] Should we test alternative labels for the address field?' This separation allows your team to revisit the original data without the immediate influence of initial assumptions, fostering objective discussion.
Checklist for clear notes
- Document the participant's exact observable behavior and literal statements.
- Always include the specific task step and relevant context for each note.
- Clearly mark your interpretations and questions to distinguish them from facts.
Choose an anonymized note from a previous session. Separate action, speech, and hypothesis, retaining only what the source actually records. Do not turn an inference into a quote or add details to complete the story. Share the revised note with a colleague and record the points where you still disagree about the interpretation.
Your next discovery begins with a question.
Test an idea, observe the experience and bring evidence to your team.
Create my first studyFree · 1 study · 50 responses/month · no card