1. Conducting An Interview Gathering Expert/Eyewitness Information

2. Step 1: Gather Background Information O Become knowledgeable about the topic in order to select a potential interviewee and create intelligent questions O Read multiple digital and/or print resources  Books  Periodicals (magazines, newspapers, journals)  Databases  Websites

3. Step 2: Identify A Candidate O Expert: someone who is very knowledgeable about the topic O Eyewitness: someone who saw something happen in-person O Participant: someone who was involved in an activity/event

4. Step 3: Create Questions O Specific O Open-ended (avoid yes/no questions) O Edit list of questions  eliminate irrelevant and redundant questions  list remaining questions logically and in order of importance  check questions for clarity  approximate the amount of time needed to ask

5. Step 4: Schedule An Interview O Contact interviewee in-person, by phone, via email/regular mail O Websites often have contact info. O Be polite and accommodating O Identify yourself, explain the purpose of the interview, and how much time it will take O Reveal the kind of questions that will be asked

6. Step 5: Conduct The Interview O Be punctual, polite, and prepared O Take notes O Ask permission to record and/or use quotes O Give the interviewee plenty of time to respond thoughtfully O Ask for clarification or elaboration when necessary

7. Step 6: Use Information O After the interview, fill in any information or details that time did not permit while it is still fresh in your mind O Review notes and highlight or circle information to use in project/report.

8. Step 7: Give Credit O Give credit to the interviewee in the bibliography/source citation O Write a thank you letter to the interviewee