Writing · Free lesson
UX English: describe the participants you need
A research coordinator needs to know whom to invite. A label such as tech-savvy does not tell them whether someone has experienced the flow you want to study.
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
“We need participants who have tried to change a train ticket online in the past three months, whether or not they completed the change.” This is more specific than “people who are good with apps.”
Relevant action + time window + clear scope of experience.
Participants who have tried to… names an experience rather than a personality or skill label. In the past three months defines recency; it does not mean exactly three months ago. Tried does not guarantee success. If the study includes unsuccessful attempts, say whether or not they completed the change so the coordinator does not narrow the brief to successful users.
Compare the examples
participants who have tried to change a train ticket online
in the past three months
whether or not they completed the change
“People who love our app” selects an opinion. It is not a substitute for the experience criterion in this study.
Build the meaning step by step
Name the people
We need participants who have tried
Specify the action and time
to change a train ticket online in the past three months
Keep the intended scope
whether or not they completed the change.
Try it now
Make the criterion precise
Read all answers and explanations
Which phrase identifies relevant experience for a ticket-change study?
people who have tried to change a train ticket onlineIt names the actual action the study concerns, not a vague ability or preference.
What does in the past three months mean?
At some point within the last three monthsIt is a recent time window, not one exact past date or a future period.
Does have tried to change prove the change was completed?
No; an attempt may or may not succeed.Tried reports an attempt. It does not establish success or satisfaction.
Put it into practice
Repair the recruitment request
The study needs people who attempted an online train-ticket change in the last three months. Include completed and uncompleted attempts.
Find tech-savvy people who love our app.
See a model answer
Find participants who have tried to change a train ticket online in the past three months, whether or not they completed the change.
The criterion includes both completed and uncompleted attempts. It does not predict what participants will say about the experience.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Is recently specific enough?
If the brief requires a specific window, state it. Different readers can interpret recently differently.
in the past three months
Should I require a positive opinion?
Not in this supplied brief. A positive opinion is a different criterion from experience. Do not add it without a reason in the research plan.
have tried to change a ticket, not necessarily liked the process
Take it into your day
Describe the experience the study needs, not a vague idea of a good user.
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