1. Interview Methods Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Unit 2: Language in your Life

2. Research Ethics and Confidentiality Participant must be willing and knowing of participation in interview Let participant know that they may be referred to anonymously, under a fake name, if they chose You will not share your interview data or that of others for purposes other than research.

3. Organizing Questions Demographic Questions – Name/Age/Occupation/Place of birth Experiences and Behaviors Opinions and Values Feelings Sensory – Seen/Heard/Taste/Smell *Be creative in your design. People are fascinating beings waiting to tell their stories.

4. Tips for a good interview… Ask open-ended questions, avoid “yes or no questions” Find a quiet space were there will be little to no interruptions Take good notes in addition to your audio recording. Keep interest and eye contact Ask follow-up probe questions to elicit more detailed information

5. What NOT to do! Don’t interrupt the interviewee in the middle of a response Stay away from asking multiple questions at once, unless necessary Avoid making judgment statements in response to answers Don’t act weird. Don’t be stiff or awkward. Don’t be disengaged (Texting…)