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
We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data
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
We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data
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
Conducting the Interview
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
Conducting the Interview
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
Conducting the Interview
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)
Conducting the Interview
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.
Conducting the Interview
Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Provide neutral explanations Example:
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.
Conducting the Interview
Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Provide neutral explanations Example:
Use feedback phrases such: I see. Uhuh. Thanks. Thank you.
Conducting the Interview
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
We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data
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