1. Field Research: Conducting an Interview
A workshop brought to you by the Purdue University Writing Lab
This presentation is designed to teach students techniques and etiquette for effective interviewing when conducting field research for their classes.
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2. How to Conduct an Interview
Making contact with your interviewee
Preparing for the interview
Coming up with Questions
Meeting with your interviewee
Following up on your interview
This screen provides an overview of the major points for discussion in this presentation.
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3. Setting up the Interview
Contact the potential interviewee in advance
Be sure that you ask for the interview. This person is doing you a favor
Arrange a specific time and place, and let the interviewee know how much time it will take
Identify the topic that you will be discussing during the interview
This screen emphasizes the importance of etiquette in the interviewing process. Remind students that the more polite and thoughtful they are, the more their interviewee will be willing to help them.
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4. Preparing for the interview
Be sure to write out a list of questions in advance
Find out whatever information you can about the person you’re interviewing
Decide which questions are highest priority if time runs short
Decide what your goals are for the interview
This point in the presentation can be a good time to stop and brainstorm possible questions with your students.
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5. Coming up with Questions
Ask yourself: “What is it that I need to know?
Write down a list of things that you are hoping to find out
Write a list of questions that you think will lead to these answers
Check the questions carefully to see if the wording could be offensive to your interviewee
This screen provides more brainstorming material.
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6. Meeting the Interviewee
Always bring a stiff-backed notebook and several trustworthy writing instruments
If you wish to tape-record your interview, always ask before doing so
Keep notes on the interview, but make sure that you are still talking to the interviewee, not just scribbling
It’s worthwhile to remind your students here that details like pens that work and well-sharpened pencils can make the difference between a successful interview and an unsuccessful one. This screen is also a good place to discuss the ethical obligations that the interviewer has to the interviewee.
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7. Meeting the Interviewee(cont.)
Be sure that you come to the interview with a prepared list of questions (more than you think you’ll need!)
Try to stick to the topic at hand, but be ready to be flexible if your interviewee brings up unexpected but valuable information.
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8. Purdue University Writing Lab
Online Interviewing
If you need to interview via , don’t forget to ask permission for the interview
Make sure that you establish the scope of the interview and the amount of time the interviewee is committing to.
Remember that the same rules of courtesy still apply
Online interviewing is becoming an increasingly common form of field research, but students must remember that they still owe it to their interviewee to ask in advance and to indicate the nature and scope of the interview. Instructors may wish to use our PowerPoint on etiquette as a supplement to this presentation if they are encouraging interviews.
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9. Following up the Interview
Always be sure to thank your interviewee, orally and in writing
Once you have written up your results, let your interviewee see the results, in order to confirm that you’ve represented him/her accurately
Write up your results soon after the interview while they’re fresh in your mind
Instructors should remind their students of the importance of courtesy. This screen can also afford an opportunity to comment on the importance of verification for academic research.
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10. Conducting an Interview
Remember, conducting a successful interview involves attention to each of the following steps:
Making contact
Preparing for the interview
Meeting the interviewee
Following up on the interview
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11. Where can you go for more help with field research?
The Writing Lab
Heavilon Hall Room 226 Or
with brief questions.
Purdue University Writing Lab