1. Interviewing and Information Gathering in the Field: How to Prepare and What to Expect October 14, 2015

2. Social Science Research Why We Interview

3. Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview

4. Espionage Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview

5. Espionage Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview Employment

6. Espionage Journalism Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview Employment

7. Espionage Journalism Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview Employment Medical care

8. Espionage Journalism Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview Employment Medical care

9. Social Science Research Survey Interview – Questionnaire – Closed and Open Ended questions Semi-structured Interview – Topic guide Observation – List of objectives

10. Preparing for an Interview Background research – Previous interviews – Résumés and reports List of questions, pen, paper Copies of documents Prep recording device Travel plan Envision the outcome

11. "A common ingredient of the superb interview is a knowledge of the subject so thorough that it creates a kind of intimacy between the journalist and the interviewee." Director, Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism Tom Rosenstiel

12. Getting Access Making initial contact – Telephone – In person Getting past gatekeepers Explaining the purpose of your research Gaining trust Knowing how much time is required Choosing a location and time Be confident

13. Getting Started Small talk to put your subject at ease Explain the purpose Address terms of confidentiality Getting informed consent Explain the format Audio/video-recording Opening questions should be easy and on topic

14. Asking, Listening and Observing Engaged but neutral Eye contact Vocal tone “Guided” conversation Changing course Maintaining control

15. Asking, Listening and Observing Drawing out details/Probing – Repeating the response as a question – Silence – Stress generality/subjectivity – Zeroing in Observations Taking notes (don’t trust your memory) Observation vs. interpretation

16. Mistakes? (1) 3:48 (2) 8:07

17. Getting It Right Strive for accuracy Ask for correct spellings Don't pretend to know something that you don't Summarize for the subject in your own words some of his/her main points – "Let's see if I understand you. You mean...” McDonald’s coffee lawsuit

18. Katie Couric

19. The Couric Method Being a gracious host – Body language – warm and welcoming – Adjusting your tone to the issue at hand Ask questions that don’t require a Yes or No answer How is this person likely to answer? – The trial attorney’s rule Knowing what they’ve said before and thinking “How can I go at this another way?” Importance of listening and reacting – Picking up on inconsistencies – Using questions as a template – Being ready to veer off in a totally different direction Remember who you are serving – Responsibility to your reader or sponsor

20. Working with Interpreters Interpreter/Guide is the first person you interview – Establish trust – Get a sense of his/her language skills – Interpreter must have a good understanding of your research objectives Speak directly to your subject, not to the translator – Pause and allow time to translate, but act as if the interpreter is not there More adviceadvice

21. Handling the Unexpected Change in setting Interruptions Equipment failure Grief Hostility – Be ready – Disarming techniques – Counterintuitive

22. Handling the Unexpected (2) Protecting your notes from loss or seizure – Pre-addressed Fed Ex mailers – Drop box/cloud services Personal danger – Move in pairs or groups – Trust your driver

23. After the Interview Debriefing Writing your field notes (don’t wait!) Audio recordings – Check equipment – Transfer audio files Your contact information (card) – Follow up Thank you letters/notes

24. Additional Resources USAID: Conducting Key Informant Interviews Conducting HUMINT operations Key Informant Interviews for Health Policy Research Key Informant Interviews for Health Policy Research