Conducting Interviews

Interview Workshop : 

Interview Workshop 8th Grade Project The Walker School

Overview : 

Overview What is an interview? Why interview? Planning an Interview Scheduling & Setting Expectations The Interview Post Interview Follow-up

Examples of Interviews : 

Examples of Interviews Your grandfather fought in WWII and you would like to record his experiences (oral history) Microsoft would like to make Windows more attractive to Mac users (focus group) You have a terrorist in custody and want to know where the bomb is (private interrogation) Mrs. Palin is the new VP candidate and you would like to learn more about her. (personal interview) You are interrogating a witness in court. (public interview)

Why Interview? : 

Why Interview? More intimate / personal than surveys Many people prefer the warmth of interviews Some information will only come out in person Flexibility Interviewer can adjust questions for the situation Group interviews can stimulate more perspective Depth Interviews more like conversations than surveys Allow for extended elaboration by interviewee(s)

Interviews, Focus Groups and Oral Histories : 

Interviews, Focus Groups and Oral Histories Interview Flexible, live information-gathering session Focus Group (group interview) A moderated, live discussion forum, including more than one interviewee, designed to solicit sincere perspectives via group interaction Oral History Interview with the intent of recording the unique experiences of the interviewee(s) for posterity

Planning an Interview : 

Planning an Interview Define your objective Know what you want to achieve and DO NOT try to achieve too many things in a single interview

Planning an Interview : 

Planning an Interview Choose the Interviewee(s) Choose experts or first-hand witnesses Individual v. group interview

Planning an Interview : 

Planning an Interview Choose the setting Convenient for the interviewee(s) Choose a location that will set the right tone, provide adequate lighting and clear sound quality

Recording an Interview : 

Recording an Interview Allows interviewer to focus on Listening to answers attentively Composing subsequent questions Setting a relaxed tone Recording options: phone / video / audio Get permission to record in advance and then ask them to sign your permission form in person Setup recording equipment and lighting before interview Avoid drawing attention to recording equipment

Scheduling & Setting Expectations : 

Scheduling & Setting Expectations Schedule Interviews Early (!) Minimum of three days notice. Research the background of the interviewee, their company or other relevant information Set Expectations: Explain… who you (the interviewer) are the topic & purpose of the interview how the information will be used the expected length and location the number of people in the interview whether you plan on recording the interview

The Interview: Setup : 

The Interview: Setup Arrive early to setup Setup and TEST all recording equipment Recording will allow you to relax and focus Arrange the environment Chairs & tables Lighting Water / drinks (why no snacks?) Adjust background noise (white noise?) Personal Space

The Interview: Introductions : 

The Interview: Introductions When the interviewee arrives… Stand to greet them Look in their eyes Shake their hand firmly but gently Thank them for coming Invite them to sit down Offer them a (non-alcoholic) drink Ask them if they had any trouble getting there Ask them if they mind if you record the interview

The Interview: Establishing Trust : 

The Interview: Establishing Trust Reassure Interviewee / build trust Ask the interviewee about relevant background E.g. How long have you been a gymnast? Avoid leading/combination questions E.g., Why do drinking problems always lead to homelessness? Listen intently to BOTH content and emotion Avoid overly pointed, awkward personal questions Ask some open ended / some guided questions Follow up with increasingly specific questions Avoid asking them to admit to something bad Avoid accusing or cornering your interviewee

The Interview: Example : 

The Interview: Example Interviewing the homeless: Good questions? Why did society so punish you by making you unemployed and homeless? Are you homeless? How long have you been homeless? Where do you sleep? Where do you eat? What do you do during the day? How do you handle winter? Why are you homeless? Do you have family?

The Interview: The Management : 

The Interview: The Management Manage the discussion (subtly) Politely redirect away from fruitless tangents Change the specific topic if discomfort detected Ask more specific questions if: they don’t respond articulately to open questions they tend to get off topic with to much freedom Ask open-ended questions: To provide opportunities for unexpected answers If they are articulate and respond well to such questions

The Interview: Body Language : 

The Interview: Body Language Make eye contact, but don’t glare Read their body language and respond Leave them sufficient personal space Be relaxed yourself, that will put them at ease Avoid taking notes: record interview Avoid crossing arms Lean back to encourage them to talk Lean forward to interject

The Interview: Concluding : 

The Interview: Concluding Manage the time: don’t go over the time frame you promised Ease toward conclusion Provide them an open ended question at end “Is there anything you’d like to mention about x that we haven’t covered?” Thank them for taking the interview Tell them how you’ll follow up End on time

Post-Interview Follow-Up : 

Post-Interview Follow-Up Provide a copy of your work to your interviewee(s) for validation and courtesy Inform your interviewee(s) of how your work will be used / published Ask permission for new publications Welcome feedback Include a transcription of interview in the appendix of research paper

Homework: Due Next Class : 

Homework: Due Next Class Prepare for your own interview for your topic Provide: Objective of the interview(s) How you plan to record your interview. Interviewee(s) Qualifications What are their qualifications / unique insight for your topic? Plan your questions & anticipate their answers Prepare a complete list of QUESTIONS you plan to ask with their expected ANSWERS after each question in [brackets] Provide follow up questions based on your expected answers.