Interviewing “Thank you for agreeing to fill out our evaluation survey”

Interviewing

“Thank you for agreeing to fill out our evaluation survey”

Interviewing

We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data

Role of the Interviewer

Introduce participants to the task Make participants comfortable with

You The setting The task

Orient participants You are independent of Sunday Friends This is an evaluation that can help to improve things Ask whether they have any questions

Give Directions Emphasizing We want their honest opinion There are no right or wrong answers They may skip any question that is too difficult

Role of the Interviewer

Assist participant in filling out questionnaire Read questions Fill in answers Clarify terms when needed

Take and properly store the questionnaire

Provide Tickets

Interviewing


Interviewer Characteristics

Good interviewer skills: Makes folks comfortable Appears comfortable him or herself Appears professional (including attire) Articulate questioner, speaks clearly Attentive listener, appear interested Is friendly and polite Sensitive, empathetic, reflective (but not insertive) Can motivate

Interviewer Characteristics Characteristics that can create bias

Gender Age Religion Race Native language Social class Education level Behavior Mannerisms Appearance Voice

Try to reflect common ground with participant

Interviewing


Conducting the Interview

The prime directive: Avoid creating bias (making answers different from the truth)

Read questions as worded Make sure that answers fit response choices Make sure that “check one” or “check all”

are adhered to


Ensure that questions are applicable to the respondent—skip them if they are not

Skip questions when respondent cannot remember or is disinterested in remembering facts

Do not rush respondents


Ask questions from a distance that is close, but not intimate

Keep participant motivated The research is important You are interested in their answers

Prevent “researcher demand” or allowing participants to think they could please you with particular answers


Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Define words consistently Use inflection in ways that denotes the

same meanings for each person (You will receive definitions to familiarize

yourself with)


Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Provide neutral explanations Example:

Question: How would you rate your child’s school –excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?

Answer: Well, it depends on what you mean: My child is in the second grade, I like her teacher but I really don’t think they are doing very much with math and reading. On the other hand, she is happy, she likes recess and playing.

Interviewer: That is a very legitimate point. The question does not suggest that you focus on any one thing. In this case, you should take into account whatever it is that you think the question implies and give me the answer that is closest to what you think.



Question: What do you think is the biggest problem our government faces? Answer: The state or the federal government? Interviewer: That is a good point. I don’t think that this has been specified so

please answer the question how you think is the best way.

Question: Has your child been an inpatient at CHB in the past month? Answer: What do you mean by inpatient? 1: Interviewer: By inpatient we mean a patient that stayed at least one night

at the hospital before going home. 2: Interviewer: Whatever it means to you.



Use feedback phrases such: I see. Uhuh. Thanks. Thank you.


Ideal Settings for interviews-adapt to our circumstances as best as possible. privacy no distractions, easy to hear comfortable nonthreatening easily accessible for respondents prevent telephone and visitor interruptions seating arrangement should encourage

interaction and engagement

Interviewing


Record Data

Write numbers or mark answers clearly Write clearly Pay attention to “check all” or “check

one” Clearly mark skipped items as missing-

data entry persons should not be left to guess

Documents

Interviewing “Thank you for agreeing to fill out our evaluation survey”