Think about what sort of person would be a useful candidate for an interview. A professional who works within the field? An academic who
Conducting a Personal Interview or Survey Assignment
This assignment consists of four steps to be completed throughout Units 2 and 3.
Complete the “interview preparation sheet” (See below.) and submit your response to the discussion board. (Unit Two)
Respond to ALL members in your small group with feedback regarding clarity of the proposed questions and ideas for additional questions. (Unit Two)
Set up and conduct the actual interview following the below etiquette. (Unit 2 or 3)
Smoothly incorporate select responses into your research essay. (Unit 3)
Completing the “Interview Preparation Sheet”
Selecting a person:
Think about what sort of person would be a useful candidate for an interview. A professional who works within the field? An academic who studies that issue in particular? A published author who has already written books on that topic? A person in the local community who has dealt with this issue in their personal life? Identify that person and make arrangements to contact her. Authors can often be contacted through the publisher of their books or the editor of their journals (though this may take a week or two). Scholars can often be contacted through their respective departments, or through campus directories. If you aren’t quite sure whom to interview, feel free to ask for ideas when you post to the discussion board.
Survey:
For some projects, a survey might be more generative. For example, rather than an expert opinion on how to motivate people to fund better mass transit, you want to figure out how your classmates currently travel to school: bus, Lyft/Uber, car, Light rail, walking. In that case, a survey would be best. Consider using a free service such as Survey Monkey to develop a survey. You may send a survey to our class using the class list, but responses are entirely voluntary.
Using tips from your textbook and our website, devise a list of 12 questions you plan to ask the interviewee or survey participants.
Respond to the below “Interview Preparation Sheet.”
Respond to ALL members in your small group with feedback regarding clarity of the proposed questions and ideas for additional questions. (Unit Two)
Instructions appear on D2L in the discussion area.
Set Up and Conduct the Interview Following the Below Etiquette
WHEN YOU FIRST CONTACT THE INTERVIEWEE:
· Explain who you are, why you want to talk to them, and what you wish to find out. The purpose of that interview should be made clear to the interviewees before you meet them.
· The interviewees should know in general what sort of questions they will be asked, and approximately how long the interview will last.
· If the interviewee agrees to be interviewed, then arrange a time to meet, a time to call them on the phone, or a date for an e-mail exchange. If you meet face-to-face, pick a fairly public location, but one with few distractions. Let them know how long you expect the interview to take. If the person elects not to be interviewed, still thank them for their time. Do not insist.
· Now or at the interview, ask to obtain permission in writing to quote the respondents, to cut-and-paste e-mail responses they write, or to use a tape-recorder during the session if you will be doing any of these activities. You can type up and mail a form for them to sign, or bring it with you to the interview for their signature. If you and they are okay with a verbal rather than written consent, that is just fine. I include an example at the end of this document.
WHEN PREPARING THE INTERVIEW
1. If in person, plan to wear appropriate apparel for the interview. Dress a bit more formally than normal so the interviewee will treat you seriously and respectfully and will feel respected.
2. Prepare a list of questions in advance. Decide if you want an informal, chatty interview (which often puts interviewees at ease), or a more formal, structured interview (which often is more time-efficient and covers material more completely).
3. Since relying on one’s memory is haphazard, be prepared to record responses in some way. Take a notebook for jotting down answers, or bring along a partner to take notes. Even better, bring along a tape recorder phone app and ask permission for the interview to be recorded.
WHEN YOU FIRST MEET THE INTERVIEWEES:
1. Introduce yourself and explain the format of the interview. Explain the type of interview you are conducting, its purpose, and its nature.
2. Explain how to get in touch with you later in case the person thinks of more things or wants to retract something.
3. Make it clear that the interviewee may elect to stop the interview at any time.
4. Ask the person if they have any questions.
WHEN ASKING QUESTIONS:
1. Ask only one question at a time. Don’t jumble the response by trying to combine multiple questions at once.
2. Attempt to remain as neutral as possible. Often researchers suggest that the interviewer should not show any strong emotional reactions to their responses to avoid altering the responses. Others are more at ease responding naturally. It is up to you.
3. Phrase your questions in such a way as to ensure an open-ended response. Don’t put words in the interviewees’ mouths, but let them choose their own vocabulary and phrasing when responding.
4. Keep questions neutral in tone. Avoid judgmental wording or evocative language. Asking someone, “What were your feelings when you learned that Trump was elected president?” is less likely to direct a response than, “What did you feel when Trump, who didn’t really win the election, won the presidential election?”
5. Word the questions clearly. Make them concise.
6. Pick pertinent inquiries. Part of this is also becoming familiar with the vocabulary of that field or topic, so you can ask intelligent questions.
7. Use caution when asking “why” questions. This type of question suggests a cause-effect relationship that may not actually exist. These questions may also invoke a defensive response, e.g., the interviewees may feel they have to justify their response, which may inhibit their responses to future questions.
8. Allow for silence. People often need time to formulate their responses.
9. End by asking the interviewee if there is anything else they would like to add of they have any questions.
Answer preview for Think about what sort of person would be a useful candidate for an interview. A professional who works within the field? An academic who
MLA
502 Words