How+to+conduct+an+Interview

Introduction
Interviews are used to get the story behind a participant's experiences or to get the details on what the interviewee knows, feels or witnessed. The interviewer can pursue in-depth information around a topic. Interviews may be useful as follow-up to certain respondents to questionnaires, e.g., to further investigate their responses. Usually open-ended questions are asked during interviews. Before you start to design your interview questions and process, clearly articulate to yourself what problem or need is to be addressed using the information to be gathered by the interviews. This helps you keep clear focus on the intent of each question.

Preparation for Interview

 * **Choose a setting with little distraction.** Avoid loud lights or noises, ensure the interviewee is comfortable (you might ask them if they are), etc. Often, they may feel more comfortable at their own places of work or homes.
 * **Explain the purpose of the interview.**
 * **Explain the format of the interview.** Explain the type of interview you are conducting and its nature.
 * **Indicate how long the interview usually takes.**
 * **Tell them how to get in touch with you later if they want to.**
 * **Ask them if they have any questions** before you both get started with the interview.
 * **Let them know you are going to tape the interview** and allow them to see it when you have completed the edit.

**Types of Interviews**
In-depth interviews are basically a conversation between you (the reporting) and your guest. There are all sorts of conversation you can have. The conversations fall into two basic categories. Hard Interviews and Soft Interviews.

Types of Topics in Questions
Note that the above questions can be asked in terms of past, present or future.
 * 1) **Behaviors -** about what a person has done or is doing
 * 2) **Opinions/values -** about what a person thinks about a topic
 * 3) **Feelings -** note that respondents sometimes respond with "I think ..." so be careful to note that you're looking for feelings
 * 4) **Knowledge -** to get facts about a topic
 * 5) **Sensory -** about what people have seen, touched, heard, tasted or smelled
 * 6) **Background/demographics -** standard background questions, such as age, education, etc.

Sequence of Questions

 * 1) **Get the respondents involved in the interview as soon as possible.**
 * 2) **Before asking about controversial matters (such as feelings and conclusions), first ask about some facts.** With this approach, respondents can more easily engage in the interview before warming up to more personal matters.
 * 3) **Intersperse fact-based questions throughout the interview** to avoid long lists of fact-based questions, which tends to leave respondents disengaged.
 * 4) **Ask questions about the present before questions about the past or future.** It's usually easier for them to talk about the present and then work into the past or future.
 * 5) **The last questions might be to allow respondents to provide any other information they prefer to add and their impressions of the interview.**

Wording of Questions

 * 1) **Wording should be open-ended.** Respondents should be able to choose their own terms when answering questions.
 * 2) **Questions should be as neutral as possible.** Avoid wording that might influence answers.
 * 3) **Questions should be asked one at a time.**
 * 4) **Questions should be worded clearly.** This includes knowing any terms particular to the program or the respondents' culture.
 * 5) **Be careful asking "why" questions.** This type of question infers a cause-effect relationship that may not truly exist. These questions may also cause respondents to feel defensive

Conducting Interview

 * 1) **Verify the camera is working.**
 * 2) **Ask one question at a time.**
 * 3) **Attempt to remain as neutral as possible.** That is, don't show strong emotional reactions to their responses.
 * 4) **Encourage responses** with occasional nods of the head, "uh huh"s, etc.