Your interview should have a clear purpose. The purpose might be gaining the perspective of an expert, explaining a technical issue, or providing the reader with information normally unavailable in database articles. You may need to find the interview subject early in the writing process and set up the time in advance. It is sometimes more convenient to arrange for the interview to take place over the phone or via e-mail if that is preferable to both parties.
REMEMBER:
Prepare your questions in advance before meeting with the interviewee.
This interview is for academic purposes. Collecting sound bites is not your purpose here. You are not inflating your project with neat-but-empty catchphrases; you are seeking to understand something better as a part of your argument. You are seeking to become an expert on the subject at hand.
WHEN YOU FIRST CONTACT THE INTERVIEWEE TO SET UP THE INTERVIEW:
1. Explain who you are, why you want to talk to them, and what you wish to find out. The purpose of that interview should be made clear to the interviewee before you meet them.
2. The interviewee should know in general what sort of questions they will be asked, and approximately how long the interview will last.
3. Arrange a time to meet, a time to call them on the phone, or a date for an e-mail exchange.
4. Ask to obtain permission in writing to quote the respondents, to cut-and-paste e-mail responses they write, or to use a tape-recorder during the session if you will be doing any of these activities. Here is an example:
"I [respondent's name] hereby give my permission for [student's name] to interview me and quote my responses in a scholarly research paper. I understand that this research paper will be submitted to a teacher at Niskayuna High School. I understand that I waive any claim to copyright to this material should the student ever publish it in a scholarly journal or in electronic format online. I understand that the author [will / will not] maintain my anonymity as a part of this interview. I hereby give my permission in the form of my signature below."
Signature______________________ Date___________________________
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5. Ask if the interviewee has any questions to ask before you begin.
WHEN PREPARING THE INTERVIEW
1. Plan to wear appropriate apparel for the interview.
2. Prepare a list of questions in advance. Decide if you want an informal, chatty interview (which often puts interviewees at ease), or a more formal, structured interview (which often is more time-efficient and covers material more completely).
3. Be prepared to record responses in some way. Take a notebook for jotting down answers, or, even better, bring along a tape recorder and ask permission for the interview to be recorded (see note above).
WHEN YOU FIRST MEET THE INTERVIEWEES:
1. Explain any issues of confidentiality. Explain who will get access to their answers and how their answers will be analyzed.
2. If these comments are to be used as quotes, get written permission to do so.
3. Explain the format of the interview. Explain the type of interview you are conducting, its purpose, and its nature.
4. Explain how to get in touch with you later if necessary.
WHEN ASKING QUESTIONS:
1. Ask only one question at a time. Don't jumble the response by trying to combine multiple questions at once.
2. Attempt to remain as neutral as possible. Often researchers suggest that the interviewer should not show any strong emotional reactions to their responses to avoid altering the responses.
3. Don't let the respondent stray to another topic; gently steer them back to the topic at hand with your questions.
4. Phrase your questions in such a way as to ensure an open-ended response.
5. Keep questions neutral in tone. Avoid judgmental wording or language.
6. Word the questions clearly. Make them concise.
7. Use caution when asking "why" questions. This type of question suggests a cause-effect relationship that may not actually exist. These questions may also invoke a defensive response, e.g., the interviewees may feel they have to justify their response, which may inhibit their responses to future questions.
AFTER YOUR INTERVIEW:
1. Go over your notes and make sure you can read your writing while it is still fresh in your memory.
2. It is polite to send a thank-you card or letter expressing your gratitude to the individuals interviewed and offer them a copy of the final paper if they wish to have one.
3. Be sure to include an entry for the interview in the Works Cited page of your final essay.
