Interviewing Skills The research interview Setting the stage Eliciting information

The Research Interview Purpose – to elicit information from “experts” on the topic The relationship  Partnership – together produce information useful to the project Interviewer role  Describe study and enroll participants  Administer questionnaires  Ensure completeness  Keep questionnaires secure  Data management

Research Interview Don’ts: Provide advice, even if asked. Suggest they become involved with any group, religious organization, form of treatment, etc. Make recommendations to nurses, physicians, or any other clinical staff. Ask nurses, physicians, or any other clinical staff about the patient’s progress, services they are receiving, etc. Develop or pretend to develop friendships with subjects Give out your home phone number or address

Research Interview Do’s: Be respectful Exercise reasonable caution  Do not offer to take the subject somewhere in your car (or ride in theirs) Dress professionally -- “business casual” Wear/show identification Be aware of time constraints

Setting the Stage Seating  Avoid barriers between you and the subject Interviewer introduction  Who you represent (wear ID)  Research role Develop rapport  Polite conversation

Setting the Stage Overview of topic - describe the purpose of the research Ground rules – confidentiality and voluntary nature of the research partnership Informed consent agreement Introduce the questions  Explain why the questionnaire is important  Manage transitions (e.g., between introduction and giving them the questionnaire)

Eliciting Information Listening well encourages responses Characteristics of good listeners  Desire to be other-focused  Desire to be non-defensive  Desire to imagine the roles, perspectives, or experiences of others  Desire to be non-judgmental (to listen as a “receiver”)

Eliciting Information Communicate non-verbally that you are listening  Maintain eye contact  Maintain open body language  Use silence to give the respondent time to think as well as talk

Eliciting Information Research interviewer “listening” responses  Encourage honest responses from subjects that avoid bias from attempting to “please” the interviewer Neither agree or disagree Use noncommittal words with a positive tone of voice Interviewer responses should keep the subject talking freely

Eliciting Information Restate or paraphrase subject’s responses  Show you are listening and understand what is being said  Show you grasp the facts  Provide an opportunity to clarify any possible misperceptions

Interviewer responsibilities Enroll patients, describe study, conduct interview Place questionnaires immediately into envelope Promptly return all completed questionnaires to coordinator Communicate regularly with coordinator regarding any problems or difficulties you may be having Safeguard the confidentiality of all information obtained from patients

Confidentiality and consent Ethics Safeguards Interviewer responsibilities

Ethics Fully inform research subjects regarding:  Nature of the research  Voluntary participation  What will/will not happen to them if they do/do not participate  Risks & benefits of participation Provide subjects with an opportunity to decline participation Advise them that there is no penalty for refusing to participate

Ethics Provide subjects with written details of the nature of the study and the voluntary nature of participation Obtain signed informed consent from all study participants

Ethics Minimize any potential risk to study participants  Exercise sensitivity in prenatal clinic and hospital Is this an inconvenient time? Keep voices low  Recognize distress in participants resulting from discussing personal information requested in the interview

Ethics – Respond to distress – stop the interview Remain in a professional research role  Use reflective statements, (e.g., It must have been hard for you, these past few months)  Do not take a role of comforting friend or therapist (e.g., “I’m sure it will be better in time,” or “I admire your ability to go on”)  Convey you are in touch with the respondent’s feelings but you are not overwhelmed by them

Ethics Protect subject’s confidentiality/privacy  Protect all information gathered during interviews or survey administration  Required under Federal law (Public Law “The Privacy Act”) and University of Iowa Keep all subject names and information in the strictest confidence Use information only for the purpose of the study Do not release information in a way that allows the identification of individuals

Safeguards All electronic database files are password protected Only researchers directly involved in the project (with a ”need to know”) have access to data

Interviewer Confidentiality Responsibilities Keep all information confidential Do not discuss any person in the study  If asked about names of individuals or information about individuals in the study, respond: “I am sorry, but that is confidential information, and I am not permitted to discuss it.”

Interviewer Confidentiality Responsibilities Try to conduct all interviews as privately as possible to ensure responses are not overheard Carry completed questionnaires with you, and do not leave them out where they can be read by someone else Use professional demeanor that demonstrates your seriousness about maintaining confidentiality

Interviewer Confidentiality Responsibilities Discuss patients only with director or co-interviewer not with family, friends, co-workers, etc.

Clipboards Sharpened pencils Pens Consent forms Questionnaire packets Envelopes Interview materials

Be patient Casual/comfortable personal style Use small talk to build rapport  When is your due date? Is this your first baby? Answer questions with patience; they may be repeated Make sure patient understands Interviews

If they say:  I am not interested. You say:  Thank you very much for coming; good luck. If they ask:  Do I have to do this? You say:  No you don’t; we would appreciate it, but you do not have to. Prenatal Interviews: Handling Refusals

Collect forms when complete Review quickly to ensure that all items have responses; if not, politely re-ask the question Thank respondent Place forms into envelope Interviews: Wrapping Up

Call 24 hours prior to appointment to:  Remind mother about the appointment  Verify address Dress professionally Establish rapport Administer questionnaire Provide incentive Thank respondent for their help