← VCE Data Analytics U3O2

Writing good interview questions

A question that is open, neutral and about the user's real task, so it draws out detail instead of a yes or no. Ask 'How do you...?' then follow up with 'Why?' Don't lead them to an answer.

Part of: VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 29, 9-10 Digital Technologies: Defining and decomposing problems — Module 9, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — Understanding Digital Problems — Module 48, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 1 — User Experiences and Interfaces — Module 23, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 27

Understanding Writing good interview questions in VCE Data Analytics U3O2

What it does: The closed version can be answered with yes or no. The open version uses 'What' so the user must describe their real task. A follow-up 'Why?' digs into the reason without putting words in the user's mouth. The other option leads them. Asking about real tasks, like 'Walk me through how you hand in homework', reveals needs better than asking what they might do or want in theory. The neutral question doesn't suggest a right answer. The other question hints the user should agree that group chats are great.

Common mistakes: This is a leading question. It pushes the user toward agreeing with an app. A neutral open question such as 'Q4: What would you change?' lets the user share their own ideas. This is a closed question, so the user can answer with just yes or no. It should be open, such as 'Q2: What happens after that?', to draw out detail about the real task.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 3–31) and word search (Modules 3–146).

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Learning
Duo
Which interview question is better for finding out how a student really uses their phone to study?
Do you use your phone to study?How do you use your phone when you study for a test?
Matches
Do you find the timetable confusing?
↓
This is a closed question, so it only gets a yes or no and little detail. Rewrite it as an open question, such as 'How do you find the timetable?'
Applying
Meanings
Term
good interview question
Meaning
A question that is open, neutral and about the user's real task, so it draws out detail instead of a yes or no. Ask 'How do you...?' then follow up with 'Why?' Don't lead them to an answer.
Practice
Q1: How do you currently check the canteen menu?
Testing
Gaps
Do you like the app? is a question
Check Answer
Spots
3Q3: Why is that hard for you?
4Q4: Wouldn't an app be better?

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Quick Questions

1. Which interview question is better for finding out how a student really uses their phone to study?
A. Do you use your phone to study?
B. How do you use your phone when you study for a test? ✓
An open question starting with 'How' draws out detail. The closed 'Do you...' question only gets a yes or no.
2. Which question is open?
A. What is the hardest part of booking a canteen lunch? ✓
B. Is booking a canteen lunch hard?
Open questions start with words like What, How or Tell me about. They let the user explain in their own words.
3. Which question is a leading question?
A. Don't you think the school app is too slow? ✓
B. How would you describe the speed of the school app?
A leading question pushes the user towards an answer. A neutral question lets them share their real opinion.
4. A user says, 'I never use the timetable page.' What is the best follow-up?
A. So you think it's a bad page, right?
B. Why don't you use it? ✓
A follow-up 'Why?' digs into the reason without putting words in the user's mouth. The other option leads them.
5. True or false: A good interview question focuses on the user's real task, such as what they actually do.
A. True ✓
B. False
Asking about real tasks, like 'Walk me through how you hand in homework', reveals needs better than asking what they might do or want in theory.

Match the Pairs

How do you currently book your study sessions? → An open question that asks about the user's real task and draws out a detailed answer
Why is that a problem for you? → A follow-up question that digs deeper into the reason behind an earlier answer
An open question lets the user explain in their own words, so it gets more detail than a closed question → Closed: Do you use the school app? Open: What do you use the school app for?
A neutral question does not lead the user towards the answer the interviewer wants to hear → Leading: Don't you think the app is slow? Neutral: How would you describe the app's speed?
Do you find the timetable confusing? → This is a closed question, so it only gets a yes or no and little detail. Rewrite it as an open question, such as 'How do you find the timetable?'
Wouldn't a chatbot make homework easier for you? → This is a leading question because it suggests the answer the interviewer wants. Make it neutral, such as 'How do you get help with homework now?'

Key Term

good interview question
A question that is open, neutral and about the user's real task, so it draws out detail instead of a yes or no. Ask 'How do you...?' then follow up with 'Why?' Don't lead them to an answer.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Do you like the app? is a closed question
Hint: Type the word for a question that only gets a yes or no answer.
2. How do you book a court? is an open question
Hint: Type the word for a question that draws out detail and explanation.
3. User: I never use the school app. Follow-up: Why is that?
Hint: Type the one-word follow-up that asks the user for a reason.
4. "Don't you agree it is slow?" is leading
Hint: Type the word for a question that pushes the user toward a particular answer.
5. A good question is open, neutral and about the user's real task
Hint: Type the word for what the user is actually trying to do, which good questions focus on.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Q1: How do you order lunch?
B Q2: What is hardest about it?
C Q3: Why is that hard for you?
D Q4: Wouldn't an app be better?
Line D — This is a leading question. It pushes the user toward agreeing with an app. A neutral open question such as 'Q4: What would you change?' lets the user share their own ideas.
Question 2
A Q1: How do you find books?
B Q2: Do you find books easily?
C Q3: Why do you do it that way?
Line B — This is a closed question, so the user can answer with just yes or no. It should be open, such as 'Q2: What happens after that?', to draw out detail about the real task.
Question 3
A Q1: How do you book a class?
B Q2: Why do you book it then?
C Q3: Did you book it online?
D Q4: What would help you most?
Line C — This is a closed question that gets a yes or no answer. An open prompt such as 'Q3: Tell me about last time.' encourages the user to describe what really happened.
Question 4
A Q1: How do you check buses?
B Q2: Walk me through today.
C Q3: Late buses are bad, right?
D Q4: Why does that matter?
Line C — This is a leading question because it assumes the user's answer. It should be neutral and open, such as 'Q3: What goes wrong for you?'
Question 5
A Q1: How do you plan homework?
B Q2: What phone do you own?
C Q3: What happens when stuck?
D Q4: What would make it easier?
Line B — This question is not about the user's real task of planning homework. It should follow up on the task, such as 'Q2: Why do you do it that way?'

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