1. Field Research: Conducting an Interview
This presentation is designed to teach students techniques and etiquette for effective interviewing when conducting field research for their classes.
Updating authors: Derek Laan, Steven Lee, Tori Talsma, and Karla Walther, 2007.
Copyright Purdue Writing Lab, 2007.

2. Outline: How to Conduct an Interview
Setting up the interview
Preparing for the interview
Coming up with Questions
Meeting with your interviewee
Following up on your interview

3. Setting up the Interview
Contact the potential interviewee in advance
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

4. Preparing for the interview
Prepare a list of questions in advance
Find background information about the interviewee
Prioritize your questions and ask the most important questions first
Decide your goals for the interview

5. Coming up with Questions
Ask yourself: “What do I need to know?”
Write a list of things you want to find out
Write a list of questions that will help your interviewee discuss this information
Do not ask biased questions: “Don’t you think we could improve campus parking by building another parking garage?”
Check the questions carefully to see if the wording could be offensive to your interviewee

6. How to ask good questions
Ask leading questions rather than asking yes or no questions
Do you think there is a parking problem on campus? (Yes or no question)
What is your view on the parking situation on campus? (leading question)
The response to a leading question will give you more detail to support your research

7. Understanding feedback
During the interview, summarize the answers back to the interviewee to make sure you understand his/her answer
Q: What is your view on the parking situation on campus?
A: I think it is a problem, because there are more cars than parking spaces.
Paraphrase response: So you believe there are not enough parking spaces for the cars on campus.

8. 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

9. Meeting the Interviewee (cont.)
Bring your prepared list of questions to the interview
Try to stick to the topic at hand, but be flexible if your interviewee brings up unexpected but valuable information

10. Online Interviewing
If you need to interview via , remember to ask for permission first
Establish the scope and time period of the interview
Remember that the same rules of courtesy still apply

11. Following up the Interview
Always be sure to thank your interviewee, orally and in writing
Write your results soon after the interview while they are fresh in your mind
Let your interviewee review your findings in order to confirm that you have represented him/her accurately

12. Conducting an Interview
Conducting a successful interview involves attention to each of the following steps:
Making contact to setup the interview
Preparing for the interview
Meeting the interviewee
Following up on the interview