Interviewing Basics Help You Focus on Content Presentation by: Justin Kennedy Date: 11/18/2008 An Article by Dalya Goldberger Address:

Overview Interviewing is a great resource for any research project Interviewing processes are divided into three stages –Setting Up the Interview –Planning the Interview –Conducting the Interview

Setting It Up Researching the Subject Matter –Learn Key terminology in the subject area, this will boost your confidence during the interview and help you better understand the Interviewee Anticipate the Direction of the Interview –Write a list of questions to steer the Conversation, but don’t feel you have to stay completely on the questions

Setting It Up Be prepared for little mishaps –Bring extra of everything you will be using –Extra Tapes/Batteries –Paper/Pens

During the Interview Make the interviewee feel comfortable –Informing the interviewee of your reasons for conducting the interview and allowing them to state their purpose for coming will allow them to feel at ease Use a Quiet and Private Area if they are easily interrupted Or a Bar with “White Noise”

During the Interview Take the lead in focusing the interview –Decide when to lead and when to ask questions during the interview –If they start to go off track, feel free to take the reins

During the Interview Be a good listener –Encourage the interviewee to talk –Listen to off the cuff remarks to connect with the interviewee

During the Interview Learn how to read and use body language –Observe positive and negative body language –Arms folded reflects tension –Flushed face may indicate embarrassment –Mirroring the body language of your interviewee will help them relax

During the Interview Know when to ask open-ended and leading questions –Open-ended questions invite the interviewee to speak at long extents –Leading questions should be more detailed and exact as to the parameters of the question. –Stay away from questions with simple “Yes” and “No” answers

During the Interview Use lulls in conversation to your advantage –When experiencing an uncomfortable silence, don’t feel the need to hastily fill in the gap. –This silence helps your interviewee gather their interviewee gather their thoughts and continue on thoughts and continue on

Summary Be Prepared –Get Ready for the Interviewee Listen –Listen to the Interviewee Observe –Observe the Interviewee ANY QUESTIONS?