1 Conducting Interviews API Survey Training June 15, 2006 Mia Robillos Rainbow Research

2 1) Always start by providing the respondent information about the survey How they were selected (or the target respondents) Purpose Sponsor How findings will be used Confidentiality

3 2) The interviewer should read the question exactly as it is written 3) The interviewer should read the questions exactly in the order they were written 4) The interviewer should read the question in a conversational tone

4 5) The interviewer should avoid direct references to past responses 6) The interviewer should read the entire question 7) The interviewer should avoid skipping questions

5 8) The interviewer should avoid leaving any question unanswered. Types of non-responses: Does not know Does not remember Refused to answer Does not apply (NA)

6 9) The interviewer should avoid making assumptions about the answer 10) The interviewer should avoid leading questions

7 11) Interviewers should probe for correctness, clarity, and completeness Example of a probe for correctness: "I only have these categories that you can choose from. Which one should I circle?“ Example of a probe for clarity: "Could you be more specific in your answer?“ Example of a probe for completeness: "What else do you like?," "Any other comments?"

8 12) Interviewers should provide prompts, if necessary Example of a Question: “If you can change or add any one thing that you believe would contribute to better health in your community, what would that be?” Example 1 of a prompt for this question: “For example, do you feel that your community would be healthier if there were more health professionals who are of your culture, or if there were more health programs specific to your culture? Example 2 of a prompt for this question: “By this I mean, if you were in a position to make some changes in your community so that people will be healthier, what will you do?

9 13) If possible, interviewers should record verbatim (exactly as it was said) 14) The interviewer should always act in a professional manner 15) The interviewer should assume the responsibility of keeping all information confidential

10 Difficult Situations Respondents talk about their personal problems and at times overcome by grief. The respondent is depressed. The respondent is angry. The respondent is talkative. The respondent wants to interview the interviewer.