Study first
Review the ideas behind the questions
Check consent and participant data before research begins. A good session plan tells people what will happen, handles recordings carefully, and keeps personal details limited to the research need.
Explain Consent Clearly
Participants should understand the research before they take part. Consent is not a hidden checkbox after the session starts.
- Tell participants what the research is for before they agree to take part.
- Consent should cover what data will be collected and how it will be used.
- Participants should know they can stop taking part if they choose.
In Practice
Make Consent Specific
A vague approval to talk is weaker than consent that names the session, data collected, recording plan, and sharing limits.
Keep Withdrawal Real
If a participant can stop taking part, the team should know what to do with notes or recordings when that happens.
Common mistakes
Starting the session and explaining consent only if the participant asks.
Explain the research, data use, sharing, and withdrawal choice before the participant agrees to take part.
Q&A
What should consent cover?
It should cover the research purpose, what data is collected, how it is used, who may see it, and the participant's choice to stop.
Can consent be handled after the session?
No. The participant needs the consent information before agreeing to take part in the research.
Record Only With A Plan
Recordings can help analysis, but they need clear agreement and careful handling. Notes should still be useful when a recording is not appropriate.
- Ask for agreement before recording a research session.
- Take clear notes because the team may not be able to rely on recordings alone.
- Plan who can access recordings and notes before the session starts.
In Practice
Have A No-Recording Path
A participant may agree to research but not recording. The session plan should still let the team collect useful notes.
Limit Sharing
Before inviting observers or sharing clips, decide who needs access and whether the participant was told about that use.
Common mistakes
Recording every session by default because recordings make synthesis faster.
Ask for permission first, and keep a note-taking plan for sessions where recording is not agreed.
Q&A
What if a participant declines recording?
The team can still run the session if consent covers participation and the plan supports useful notes without recording.
Minimise And Protect Research Data
Customer research often includes personal details. Keep only what the research needs, protect it while it is useful, and remove it when the team no longer needs it.
- Collect only participant data that is needed for the research purpose.
- Keep personal data only as long as the research purpose needs it.
- Manage research data and participant privacy before notes are shared with a wider team.
In Practice
Trim The Screener
A screener should collect what the team needs to recruit and analyze the research. Extra personal details increase risk without improving the learning.
Set A Retention Plan
Before sessions begin, decide how long identifiable notes or recordings are needed and what will happen after that.
Common mistakes
Sharing raw notes with names, job titles, and recordings when the wider team only needs themes.
Share the least personal version that still supports the insight, and restrict identifiable details to people who need them.
Q&A
How much participant data should the team collect?
Only what is adequate, relevant, and necessary for the research purpose.