Writing · Free lesson
UX notes: describe what the participant did
A participant returns to a previous screen. Did they dislike the design, miss a detail, or simply want to check something? The action alone does not answer that.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
An observation records what someone did or said. An interpretation explains what you think it means. Write the action first; label a possible explanation separately.
Name the participant, the action and the context.
“Participant 2 returned to the delivery screen twice” is a behavior you can record. “Participant 2 hated the delivery screen” assigns a feeling. Even if the participant says “I don’t like this screen,” attribute that statement to them instead of presenting it as your observation of every user.
Observation and interpretation
Participant 2 returned to the delivery screen twice.
The delivery information may have been unclear.
May have been labels an interpretation; it does not turn it into proof. Keep the observation alongside it.
Make the note specific
Who and where
Participant 4 reached the payment screen.
What happened
They paused for ten seconds before choosing a payment method.
Try it now
Keep observation separate
Read all answers and explanations
You saw Participant 2 return to the delivery screen twice. Choose the observation.
Participant 2 returned to the delivery screen twice.The first sentence records the visible action. The others add a feeling or generalize to all users.
Which sentence clearly labels a possible interpretation?
The delivery information may have been unclear.May have been marks possibility. Definitely and proved claim certainty the observation does not establish.
One participant said, “I can’t find the price.” Choose the accurately attributed note.
Participant 3 said, “I can’t find the price.”The last note attributes the exact statement. The other choices invent a universal problem or a motive.
Put it into practice
Replace a mind-reading note
You observed Participant 5 click Help, close it, then click Help again. They did not explain why. Choose a note that records only the behavior.
Participant 5 disliked Help and wanted a different design.
See a model answer
Participant 5 opened Help, closed it, then opened it again.
You can add an interpretation later with a clear label. This particular task asks for the observation only.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can a research note include a participant’s opinion?
Yes. Attribute it clearly using said, reported or a direct quotation. What someone said is evidence of their statement, not proof that every user shares it.
Does adding “I think” make an interpretation an observation?
No. “I think the label confused her” still gives your interpretation. First report the action or words you recorded; then label your explanation separately.
Take it into your day
A useful research note lets another reader distinguish the event from your explanation.
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