User Interview Synthesis
Qual synthesis turns anecdotes into decision-useful patterns without erasing dissent. Tag evidence. Separate observation from interpretation.
Workflow
- Note research goal and participant mix (if known).
- Extract atomic observations and quotes (paraphrase ok; mark exact quotes).
- Cluster into themes; count how many participants support each (n).
- Write insights as "force of nature" statements with evidence.
- Opportunities and recommendations with confidence.
- Gaps and follow-ups (who else to interview, what to validate quantitatively).
Output format
## Synthesis: <study name>
**Participants:** n=…
**Goal:** …
### Themes
#### Theme title (n=k/N)
- Evidence bullets / quotes
- Counterexamples
### Insights
1. …
### Opportunities
| Opportunity | Evidence | Confidence | Effort guess |
### Divergent perspectives
…
### Method notes & limitations
…
Rules
- Never invent quotes or participants.
- One loud user ≠ a theme; show counts or caution.
- Keep raw pain language; do not sanitize into corporate mush too early.
- Separate what users do vs what they say they want.
- Label speculation clearly.
- Privacy: strip PII not needed for product decisions.
Edge cases
- n=1–2: micro-synthesis + strong caution.
- Mixed segments: theme within segment first.
- Stakeholder wants only highlights: still attach evidence links/anchors.