Template
Separate what happened, what it meant and what should change
Evidence, meaning and action are different layers.
When it fits
- Notes mix observations, interpretation and recommendations so later readers cannot tell which part came from the source.
When to avoid it
- Direct quotations can still be misunderstood; context and consent rules remain important.
A template to use
Observed: [trace/behavior/statement]. Interpreted as: [current explanation]. Next test/action: [what would reduce uncertainty].
Why it matters
Capture three fields separately. Observation: what was said, done or recorded. Interpretation: your current explanation. Implication: what you might test or change. This preserves traceability and makes later disagreement productive.
An example
Observed: user reopened the export twice. Interpretation: they may not trust completion. Next: ask what signal they expected and test status visibility.
Check your result
Another reviewer can accept the observation while rejecting your interpretation without rewriting the record.
Keep this limit in mind
- Direct quotations can still be misunderstood; context and consent rules remain important.
Evidence and sources
GOV.UK interview guidance recommends starting from research questions, organising topics, and preparing starter plus follow-up questions rather than improvising the whole session.
A discussion guide should support rather than rigidly control the conversation.
Using in-depth interviews · Design the interview
GOV.UK planning guidance recommends clear, actionable research objectives linked to assumptions and information needed for upcoming decisions.
Some exploratory work legitimately starts without a single immediate decision.
Plan a round of user research · Research objectives and assumptions