science investigationmixed methodsresearch opsusability testingux research
Complete evaluation framework
What to assess and how to score it
Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Method and rigour
35% weight
Check how they choose between generative interviews, diary studies, unmoderated tests and surveys; ask about sample sizing, screener design, task construction, and avoiding leading questions.
Evidence to listen for
Follows and can justify an established methodology
Understands contamination, bias, and chain of custody as they apply to the field
Knows the limits of their techniques and says so
Documents procedure so results are reproducible and defensible
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Careless method; unaware of contamination, bias, or procedural integrity.
2
Needs Improvement
Knows procedures but applies them inconsistently; gaps in documentation.
3
Satisfactory
Sound standard practice; less certain outside familiar techniques.
4
Very Good
Rigorous and well documented; understands the limits of each method.
5
Excellent
Matches method to decision stage, defends sample sizes, writes non-leading tasks, and names bias risks in their own past screeners.
02
Evaluation factor
Real casework
25% weight
Probe actual studies run: participant counts, recruitment via UserTesting or Respondent, tools like Dovetail, Maze or Lookback, and which product decisions changed.
Evidence to listen for
Brings specific cases, sites, or projects rather than general description
States their own role and what they personally handled
Can describe an ambiguous or degraded case and how they proceeded
Knows what happened to the work afterwards
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
No hands-on casework; experience is entirely academic.
2
Needs Improvement
Limited exposure; cannot describe their own contribution clearly.
3
Satisfactory
Real casework with adequate detail; ownership sometimes vague.
4
Very Good
Specific cases with clear personal scope and outcomes.
5
Excellent
Describes specific studies end to end with participant numbers, timelines, tooling, and the shipped design change each one triggered.
03
Evaluation factor
Interpretation and judgement
25% weight
Assess synthesis: how they move from transcripts to themes, handle contradictory findings, weigh SUS or task success rates against qualitative signal, and flag low-confidence conclusions.
Evidence to listen for
Separates what the evidence shows from what they infer
States confidence levels and what would change their conclusion
Comfortable saying the result is inconclusive
Handles pressure to reach a preferred conclusion without bending
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Overstates findings; no separation of evidence from inference.
2
Needs Improvement
Reaches conclusions the evidence does not support; uneasy with uncertainty.
3
Satisfactory
Reasonable judgement; qualifies findings when prompted.
4
Very Good
Clearly separates evidence from inference and states confidence unprompted.
5
Excellent
Separates observation from inference, quantifies confidence, and cites a case where evidence contradicted their own or a stakeholder's hypothesis.
04
Evaluation factor
Reporting and testimony
15% weight
Look for readout craft: highlight reels, prioritised recommendations, research repositories, and evidence they held ground with product managers or designers who disliked findings.
Evidence to listen for
Writes findings that a non-specialist can act on
Has presented or defended work to an external audience: court, client, review board, publication
Withstands challenge without overclaiming or retreating
Keeps records that hold up to scrutiny
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Cannot communicate findings; records would not withstand review.
2
Needs Improvement
Reporting is unclear or incomplete; avoids external scrutiny.
3
Satisfactory
Adequate reports; limited experience defending work externally.
4
Very Good
Clear reporting and real experience presenting to an external audience.
5
Excellent
Delivers concise decision-focused readouts, maintains a searchable repository, and gives an example of persuading a resistant stakeholder with clips and data.
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