> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://usdr.gitbook.io/benefits-resource-hub/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://usdr.gitbook.io/benefits-resource-hub/additional-deep-dives/employer-experience-with-ui/landscape-of-the-employer-experience-user-interviews/methodology.md).

# Methodology

## Goals

* Learn how employers or their representatives interact with the UI system, including understanding employers’ level of knowledge around how their actions affect UI claims or payments, and what impact they aim for in those interactions
* Understand the ways in which hiring and termination strategies are impacted by the UI system or vice versa 

## Process

Based on the goals above, an interview guide was created. First, personal networks were leveraged to reach business owners and HR representatives in California for 3 initial interviews over the phone. This allowed us to test-run the interview guide.

Some additional questions were added to the interview guide at this point, before using the online recruiting tool UserInterviews.com to recruit appropriate participants and schedule further interviews over video conferencing. Interviews were scheduled for hour-long windows, although some were shorter. We used digital research tool Lookback.io to host and record the video sessions and enable screen sharing from participants. In some cases, Zoom was used rather than Lookback due to technical difficulties.

{% file src="/files/-MV96wGZY9DuwxnPHW8r" %}
Interview Screener
{% endfile %}

{% file src="/files/-MV96sjGp2jBQt9GNifh" %}
Interview Guide
{% endfile %}

## Participants

|                   | **Gender** | **Race** | **State**                                                                        | **Age** | **Company info**                 |
| ----------------- | ---------- | -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Participant 1** | Male       | White    | Georgia                                                                          | 32      | 10,001+, taxable, not seasonal   |
| **Participant 2** | Female     | Hispanic | Massachusetts                                                                    | 40      | 200-1000, reimbursable, seasonal |
| **Participant 3** | Female     | White    | Illinois, but also deals with UI in: AZ, CA, IN, MA, OR, PA, TN, WA, VA & others | 37      | 200-1000, taxable, seasonal      |
| **Participant 4** | Female     | White    | New Mexico                                                                       | 39      | 200-1000, taxable, not seasonal  |
| **Participant 5** | Female     | White    | California, but also deals with UI in MI, NC, WI                                 | 27      | 50-60, taxable, not seasonal     |
| **Participant 6** | Female     | Black    | Pennsylvania                                                                     | 59      | 200-300, taxable, not seasonal   |