CASPER Interview TipsPREPARE for the interview

• Practicewithyourpartner!• Dressappropriately:wearcomfortable,close-toedshoes;noextremejewelryorperfume;nochewingof

gumoreating/drinking,etc.

DURING the interview• Introduceyourself!• EmpathyandRespect—goodeyecontact,confidence,conveyempathy• Remindrespondentsthattheirresponsesareconfidentialandtheirparticipationisvoluntary

– The interview can be stopped at any time and questions can be refused• Standardize!Thisincreasesthereliabilityofdataandeliminatesasourceofbiasanderror

ENDING the interview• Lookovertheentirequestionnaireforcompletenessbeforeyouleave• Thanktherespondent• Leaveinformationandprovidereferralinformationwherenecessary• Stopaninterviewanytimearespondentrequestsoryoufeelunsafe –

Ask if they want to continue if emotional stress is evident• Lookoverthequestionnaireagainwhenyouhaveleft

Do’sandDon’tsofStandardization• DOaskthequestionsinthesameorder with exactwording

– Changing wording = asking different questions– If respondent is have difficulty…PAUSE! Allow time to answer.– If respondent needs clarification…repeat the question first, then

elaborate if needed (don’t lead!)• DOreadtheentirequestion• DOrecordanswersverbatim• DObeawareofthedifficultiesofstandardization

– Situation is artificial– Using a script can be awkward– Tempting to change content

• DOdocumentanydeparturesfromstandardization

• DON’Trephrasequestions• DON’Tpre-fillquestions

– Even if the respondent may have answered in another conversation,you should still ask the question and ensure that is their answer

• DON’Tfinishsentences!Evenifyouthinkyouknowtheanswer

National Center for Environmental HealthDivision of Health Science and Practice

Tipsforasuccessfulinterview• Memorizeyourintroduction

– This improves rapport• Remembertohaveempathy

andrespect• Usecalendartoolstohelp

facilitate recall• Encouragerespondentsandbe

confident• Determinewhichteam

memberisthebetterinterviewer–thismaychangeasthedayprogresses.