Understanding the Question

When an interviewer asks, "Can you explain a situation where you had to adapt your research approach? What prompted the change?", they are probing into your flexibility, problem-solving skills, and ability to pivot based on the project's needs or unexpected challenges. This question is particularly relevant for UX researchers, as the field often requires adapting methodologies to meet the goals of a project, respond to stakeholder feedback, or address logistical constraints.

Interviewer's Goals

The interviewer is looking to understand several key attributes about you:

1. Adaptability: Your ability to modify your research strategy when necessary.
2. Problem-Solving Skills: How you identify and overcome obstacles in your research process.
3. Decision-Making: Your rationale behind choosing a new approach and your ability to weigh the pros and cons of different methods.
4. Outcome-Oriented: How changes in your approach affected the outcome of the research and what you learned from the experience.

How to Approach Your Answer

To effectively answer this question, consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response. This will help you deliver a concise and coherent story. Here’s how to apply it:

• Situation: Briefly describe the project or research study you were involved in, including the initial approach you planned to take.
• Task: Explain the challenge or issue that arose, necessitating a change in your research approach.
• Action: Detail the steps you took to identify a new approach, including any consultations with team members or stakeholders, and how you implemented this change.
• Result: Share the outcome of your adapted approach. Highlight any successes or lessons learned from this experience.

Example Responses Relevant to UX Researcher

Here are two example responses that illustrate how to effectively answer this question:

Example 1

"In a recent project, our goal was to understand user behavior for a new e-commerce app. Initially, we planned to conduct in-person usability testing, but due to sudden COVID-19 restrictions, we had to pivot quickly. [Situation]

We needed to gather user insights without compromising the project’s timeline. [Task]

I proposed switching to remote usability testing using video conferencing tools and screen-sharing applications. After discussing this with my team and stakeholders, we adapted our recruitment strategy to ensure a diverse participant pool and restructured our testing protocols to fit a virtual format. [Action]

This change not only allowed us to complete our research on time but also provided unexpected insights into how users interacted with the app in their natural environment. It also opened up new avenues for remote testing that we incorporated into future projects. [Result]

Example 2

"During a project aimed at improving the checkout process of a retail website, we initially relied heavily on quantitative data from web analytics. However, early findings suggested we were missing nuances about user frustrations. [Situation]

Our task became clear: integrate qualitative research to gain deeper insights. [Task]

I led the shift by designing a mixed-methods study, combining the existing data with insights gathered from user interviews and diary studies. This approach required quickly training the team on conducting and analyzing qualitative data and recalibrating our timeline to accommodate these methods. [Action]

As a result, we uncovered critical user pain points not visible in the analytics alone, leading to a more informed redesign of the checkout process. This project significantly improved conversion rates and user satisfaction, demonstrating the value of integrating qualitative insights in our research approach. [Result]

Tips for Success

• Be Specific: Choose a detailed example that clearly demonstrates your ability to adapt and the positive impact of your decision.
• Reflect on Learnings: Highlight what you learned from the experience and how it has influenced your approach to UX research moving forward.
• Focus on Collaboration: If your example involves teamwork, emphasize your role in the decision-making process but also acknowledge the contributions of others.
• Stay Professional: When discussing any challenges or obstacles, maintain a positive tone and focus on the solutions you implemented.

By carefully preparing your response to this question, you can effectively showcase your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and the value you bring as a UX researcher.