Interviews

Interview Sample Almost always qualitative research Pick respondents based on the needs of the research Particularly at first, try to talk with people who are likely to be comfortable responding

Interview Setting Privacy Convenience Go to the interviewee Make the interviewee comfortable before beginning questions Look professional

Interview Questions What do you need to know? Avoid leading questions Structured/Semi-Structured/Unstructured An interview protocol is a must Sometimes important questions need to be buried in less important questions Be sure you ask everything you need but nothing more (it is hard to go back) Beware the grand tour question Design follow-up questions

Conducting the Interview Designed opening and closing Minimize frowning or negative reactions Body language is everything Be careful not to ask follow-up questions if you already have the information Review to adjust for next time Practice

Seidman—Interviewing as Qualitative Research (2006) Listen more, talk less Ask questions when you don’t understand Use your intuition to know when to ask to hear more about a subject Cautiously explore, don’t probe Ask real questions Avoid leading questions Ask open-ended questions Follow up, but don’t interrupt Tolerate silence

Interview Reflections Voice tone Eye contact Nonverbal communication (Body language) Interest level Flow of the interview Did the opening and closing work? Rapport (how was it established)

Exercise The topic you are studying is bicycling in Portland. Design a series of questions for an interview that will last around 5–10 minutes—don’t forget to design an opening and closing. Find a partner. Interview your partner using the questions. Take notes during the interview. After the interview have your partner respond to the interview reflections (previous slide). Take notes on the reflections. Switch places.

Recording Interview Data Audio or video recording – Intimidation; transcripts Writing responses – Accuracy; directing respondent

Transcription You must do this Software will make you project doable – Using digital files – Typing Useful hardware – Recorder – Footpedals

Software Audio Control – Quicktime (older Pro version) – Audacity – Free software Commercial – f5 – InqScribe – DragonDictate