Framework
The Echo, Boomerang and Columbo interview techniques
Three ways to reply to participants without putting your words in their mouth
The Echo, Boomerang and Columbo are three replies moderators use when a participant asks a question or makes a vague remark. The Echo repeats their last words as a question, the Boomerang hands their question back, and the Columbo has you play less expert so they explain in their own words. Use it as a cheat sheet before running interviews or usability tests. In Koji you can write the same rules into each question's probing instructions for the AI interviewer.
Where this appears
What's in this framework
- Echo: Repeat the participant's last word or phrase with a slight questioning tone, so they explain what they meant.
- Boomerang: Send their question back as a neutral one, such as "What would you do if you were on your own?"
- Columbo: Play a little less expert than you are. Start a question and let it trail off so they finish the thought.
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Free to use in your docs, decks and posts under CC BY 4.0, as long as you credit Koji with a link to this page. To embed it, paste this into your page:
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<a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/echo-boomerang-columbo-interview-techniques"><img src="https://www.koji.so/visuals/echo-boomerang-columbo-interview-techniques/echo-boomerang-columbo-interview-techniques.png" alt="Framework showing the Echo, Boomerang and Columbo techniques for replying to participants without leading them in interviews and usability tests." width="1200" height="630" /></a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/echo-boomerang-columbo-interview-techniques">The Echo, Boomerang and Columbo interview techniques</a>, Koji</p>
