Interviews

Interview Sample

• Almost always qualitative research

• Pick respondents based on the needs of the research

• Particularly at first, try to talk with people who are likely to be comfortable responding

Interview Setting

• Privacy

• Convenience

• Go to the interviewee

• Make the interviewee comfortable before beginning questions

• Look professional

Interview Questions• What do you need to know?• Avoid leading questions• Structured/Semi-Structured/Unstructured• An interview protocol is a must• Sometimes important questions need to be buried in

less important questions• Be sure you ask everything you need but nothing

more (it is hard to go back)• Beware the grand tour question• Design follow-up questions

Conducting the Interview

• Designed opening and closing

• Minimize frowning or negative reactions

• Body language is everything• Be careful not to ask follow-up questions if

you already have the information• Review to adjust for next time• Practice

Seidman—Interviewing as Qualitative Research (2006)

• Listen more, talk less

• Ask questions when you don’t understand

• Use your intuition to know when to ask to hear more about a subject

• Cautiously explore, don’t probe

• Ask real questions

• Avoid leading questions

• Ask open-ended questions

• Follow up, but don’t interrupt

• Tolerate silence

Interview Reflections

• Voice tone

• Eye contact

• Nonverbal communication (Body language)

• Interest level

• Flow of the interview• Did the opening and closing work?

• Rapport (how was it established)

Exercise• The topic you are studying is bicycling in Portland.• Design a series of questions for an interview that will last

around 5–10 minutes—don’t forget to design an opening and closing.

• Find a partner. Interview your partner using the questions. Take notes during the interview.

• After the interview have your partner respond to the interview reflections (previous slide). Take notes on the reflections.

• Switch places.

Recording Interview Data

• Audio or video recording– Intimidation; transcripts

• Writing responses– Accuracy; directing respondent

Transcription

• You must do this

• Software will make you project doable– Using digital files

– Typing

• Useful hardware– Recorder

– Footpedals

Software

• Audio Control– Quicktime (older Pro version)

– Audacity

– Free software

• Commercial– f5

– InqScribe

– DragonDictate