Research

Empathy Interviews

Empathy interviews uncover user needs through one-on-one conversations. Focus on stories, not opinions. Ask "why" to go deeper. Observe body language and environment for complete understanding.

Duration
40 mins
Group Size
4-4
Category
Research
Difficulty
Easy
Participants will gain a deep understanding of user needs and motivations. They will uncover stories and build empathy through active listening to discover unspoken insights.
Participants will complete empathy interviews, achieving deep user understanding and a foundation for empathy-driven decisions.
Listen more than you speak (80% listening, 20% asking). Avoid leading questions. Ask about specific past experiences, not hypotheticals. Use the 5 Whys technique to uncover root motivations. Pay attention to non-verbal cues and the environment. Silence can be powerful; don't rush to fill it. If participants start designing solutions, redirect them to problems/needs. Pairing an interviewer with a note-taker helps the interviewer focus.

  1. Preparation (before interview): Create an open-ended interview guide focused on understanding experiences. Prepare "why" follow-up questions. Test recording equipment. Review participant background.

  2. Warm-up (5 minutes): Build rapport. Explain the purpose and how information will be used. Confirm recording permission. Start with easy, non-threatening questions.

  3. Story Gathering (25 minutes): Ask about specific experiences using prompts like "Tell me about a time when..." or "Walk me through what happened...". Ask "why" repeatedly to understand motivations. Listen more than you talk (80/20 rule). Observe body language and context.

  4. Wrap-up (5 minutes): Ask if anything was missed. Thank the participant. Briefly summarize to confirm understanding. Ask permission for follow-up.

  5. Immediate Debrief (5 minutes after): Capture key insights while fresh. Note surprising findings, body language, and environmental observations. Document emerging patterns.

Unlock Step-by-Step Instructions

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.

For Facilitators

  • Review participant profiles and expectations
  • Prepare all materials and supplies
  • Test technology and room setup

For Participants

  • Complete pre-session survey
  • Review background materials
  • Prepare examples or case studies

Unlock Pre-Work Requirements

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.


  • Interview guide with open-ended questions

  • Note-taking materials or laptop

  • Recording device (with permission)

  • Consent form (if needed)

  • Thank you gift or compensation (if applicable)

  • Camera for environmental documentation (optional)

  • Contextual inquiry tools (optional)

  • Empathy map template (optional)

  • Participant information sheet (optional)

Unlock Materials Required

Create a free account to access step-by-step instructions, agendas, and resources for all activities.

Discussion

0/2000
Loading comments...

Related Exercises

See all exercises

Research Objective Setting

1 hour

Unfocused research wastes time. This 60-minute exercise defines what you need to learn *before* you start. It helps create clear research objectives a...

Research

Journey Mapping

2 hours

Map the end-to-end user experience, from initial contact to final interaction. This exercise visualizes touchpoints, emotions, and pain points. The go...

Research

Guerilla Research Sprint

15 mins

Get outside and talk to users in this fast research sprint. In 15 minutes, participants find people, conduct brief interviews, and uncover real insigh...

Research