TRAINING GUIDELINES Do’s and Don’ts for Interview

Before Starting the Interview Introduction, Location, Place and Respondent On reaching the location of the interview, familiarize yourself with the place and introduce yourself to the respondent. If any one else also asks questions to you about your identity and purpose of the survey, explain it briefly. After introducing yourself to the respondent, explain to him/her the purpose of the survey.

Gaining Confidence of the Respondents Explain to the respondent why he/she was selected to be interviewed. Gain the confidence of the respondent and start the interview only after you are convinced that he/she is fully ready to answer the interview. Try and insure that the interview is conducted in such a place where there is little scope for disturbance/interference from others.

Getting the responses The tone and style of the interview should indicate that the respondent is doing you a favor by answering the questions. Read the question in full and as given in the questionnaire clearly and audibly. Read out the questions in the sequence and order as given in the questionnaire.

Getting the responses Make sure the respondent understands the question posed by you. If required repeat it. Give the respondent adequate time to understand the question and reply to your questions. If any answer given by the respondent appears to be vague, he/she should be gently encouraged to be more specific. However the respondent should not be prompted/ offered a clue to answer.

Asking Dependent questions There will be some questions that may appear as contradictory to the previous question. Such questions are useful to find out the consistency of the respondent opinion on the given issue. Certain questions are dependent questions and have to be asked only if applicable. Be careful in asking questions where it is written if applicable.

Open Ended & Battery Question In all open-ended questions the answer has to be recorded exactly in the words and in the language in which the respondent replies. In case of battery question after each category given under the question, read out the answer variables. Allow the respondent adequate time to answer in battery question after each question. If the answer is only ‘Agree’ or ‘Disagree, probe further to ascertain the degree to which they agree or disagree.

Don’ts for Interview Practicalities of interviews Do not hand over the questionnaire to the respondent to fill it in his own. If he still insists, then do not take his interview. If the respondent asks for the questionnaire, do not hand him over. Tell him gently that he has been instructed to ask the questions and conduct the interview.

Don’ts for Interview While others may also ask you to take their interview, tell them that you have been asked to interview only those who have been selected for this study. Do not record the opinion of 2 persons in one questionnaire.

Maintaining Accuracy of Questionnaire Do not ask the respondent the next question till he has finished the answer to the previous question asked. Do not change the wording of the question in any way as it can change the meaning of the whole question. For words not understood by respondents in a particular area, please use the ‘Key Words List’.

Maintaining Accuracy of Questionnaire The answer variables are not to be read. However where it has to be read out, the instructions will be clearly written at the end of the question. Never hint/provide your own views and opinion on question posed to the respondent. In any case, Don’t know (D.K) or Not applicable (N.A) is not to be read out.

Tackling Subjective Issues Do not allow a small group/crowd from gathering around the respondent during the interview. Do not allow your facial expressions to indicate any adverse reaction to the responses given by the respondent. Do not argue/debate with the respondent on any question. Hear him/her if they make a point and do not offer your own suggestions or comments on the matter.

Tackling Subjective Issues If the respondent uses abusive or foul language during the interview then the FI should stop the interview and move ahead. Avoid telling the respondent that the interview will be over quickly as they would then get impatient as the interview progresses.

Thank You