Need-Finding Interview

A qualitative research method conducted early in the design process to understand users' current practices, challenges, unmet needs, and desires for future solutions. Need-finding interviews typically use open-ended questions and semi-structured formats to elicit rich descriptions of user experiences and pain points. In accessibility research, need-finding interviews with disabled users are essential for ensuring that technology solutions address real-world needs rather than assumptions about disability. The findings directly inform design requirements and prototype development.