Ch 7: Primary_Research_and_Writing_People,_Places,_and_S..._----_(PART_II_METHODS_FOR_INQUIRY_AND_CONDUCTING_ARCHIVAL_RESEARCH)-1

Overview of Interviews

• Definition: An interview is an interactive dialogue between an interviewer and an interviewee, commonly used as a primary research tool.

• Common Uses: Interviews are prevalent in various media, including journalism, academia, and professional sectors. They can be used for multiple purposes, such as collecting information for reports, proposals, or surveys.

  • Common figures interviewed include presidents, CEOs, celebrities, and everyday individuals.

Purpose of Interviews

• Research Tool: Interviews provide firsthand perspectives and can help in understanding specific topics deeply.

• Broad Application: Diverse professionals utilize interviews, such as engineers, nurses, and marketing professionals, to gather qualitative data.

• Community Impact Assessments: Government employees often use interviews to gauge public opinion on community projects (e.g., transportation changes).

How Interviews Can Enhance Research

• Expanding Research Questions: Interview responses can lead to refined research inquiries.

• Complementary Method: Combining interviews with observations and surveys can offer a comprehensive view of a topic.

Key Steps in Conducting Interviews

Identifying Interviewees

• Purpose Definition: Clearly define what information is needed to guide who to interview.

• Potential Interviewees: Create a list of individuals who possess relevant knowledge or experience.

• Consideration of Stories and Insights: Decide whether to seek expert opinions or personal anecdotes.

Timing of Interviews

• Strategic Conducting: Plan interviews based on accessibility and relevance to your research stage.

• Ascertaining Engagement: Early interviews may clarify research questions, while later interviews provide validation of findings.

Planning Interviews

Preparing for the Interview

• Participant List: Select candidates based on their ability to inform your research rather than convenience alone.

• Questions Preparation: Tailor questions to share with participants in advance when needed, especially if recording.

• Purpose Statement: Provide a brief explanation of the research purpose to the interviewee.

Structuring the Interview

• **Interview Formats:

  • Structured: Fixed questions for uniformity across several interviews and data comparability.

  • Semi-Structured: Combination of pre-set questions and follow-ups based on responses to gather richer data.

  • Unstructured: Open conversation allowing depth and flexibility, ideal for exploring personal narratives.

Effective Question Design

Types of Questions

• Closed Questions: Limit answers to specific information (e.g., "What is your title?"). Suitable for initial rapport or summary.

• Open-Ended Questions: Encourage expansive responses (e.g., "What do you think about...?"). These questions drive conversation depth.

Crafting Questions

• Ensure clarity and relevance. Avoid leading questions that suggest an answer.

• Prioritize one question at a time to focus the interviewee’s responses.

Conducting Interviews

Techniques and Best Practices

• Technology Utilization: Interview methods include in-person, phone, email, or video conferencing. Select based on convenience and technological capability.

• Note Taking: Capture key points during the interview for potential follow-up and insight.

• Engagement: Practices such as active listening and adapting questions based on interviewee responses are crucial.

  • Allow silence for reflection and note significant non-verbal cues.

Types of Interviews

Oral Histories

• Focus on personal experiences and reflections. Oral histories preserve historical context and subjective viewpoints.

• Examples include family narratives and community generation recollections.

Informational or Expert Interviews

• Aim to extract specific knowledge or insights from experienced individuals in a field of interest.

• Essential for understanding career paths and organizational functions.

Ethical Considerations in Interviewing

• Informed Consent: Always obtain permission before recording or sharing interview data to maintain ethical standards.

• Confidentiality: Ensure personal information remains private to protect participants’ identities and reputations.

• Institutional Review Boards (IRB): Submit research proposals involving human subjects for ethical review at educational institutions.

Writing about Interviews

• Incorporate direct quotes and paraphrased insights in writing for a richer narrative.

• Profile Writing Exercise: Explore diverse careers by interviewing individuals to understand their experiences and contributions.

Summary of Chapter Insights

• Interviews serve as vital tools in research, providing depth through qualitative data collection and personal insight. Both oral histories and expert interviews are crucial, supporting an understanding of varied human experiences and perspectives.