Interviewing Workshop

Directions:

This workshop is different from the other course workshop in that it includes a tutorial that is contained on another website in addition to specific tips and rules here. Follow the link below. You must submit the required materials for credit.

Play media comment.

This tutorial was created as part of the CSU Information Competence Work Group project and covers the informational interview. While you should review the entire tutorial, you do not have to complete any of tutorials tests or assigned tasks (but it couldn't hurt...).

Review the materials below, download the app, then Go here for the tutorial: http://www.roguecom.com/interview/

YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE INTERVIEWEES FOR THIS WORKSHOP COMPLETE A CONSENT FORM. HOWEVER, ALL INTERVIEWEES FOR YOUR PROJECT MUST COMPLETE A CONSENT FORM FOR YOU TO EARN CREDIT.

Note: there are iPhone and Android apps that allow you to convert a photo to a pdf.

Copy of consent form: Interviewee_ConsentForm_181F.doc Download Interviewee_ConsentForm_181F.doc

Handyscanner

Handy Scanner Free turns your phone or tablet into a powerful document scanner. Use to submit signed consent forms. You can also scan multipage documents, whiteboards, business cards and so much more. The post-processing filters give you the greatest quality with the lowest background noise. Then, just share them to GMail, Dropbox or any other application. Better yet, use instant uploading to Dropbox! Produces both PDF and JPEG images!

Android (free)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.halfmobile.scannerfree&hl=en Links to an external site.

iPhone .99 cents

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/handy-scanner/id419484423?mt=8 Links to an external site.

Interviewing Exercise: to probe or not to probe, there is no question!

For this workshop you will conduct two short interviews with two different people at two different times.

Create and execute comparative interviews.

1. Select a current local or national controversial issue that the average student is likely to be aware of.
2. Create a set of interview questions (5 minimum) with only primary open-ended questions.
3. Take that set of interview questions with primary open ended questions and add probing questions to each primary question.
4. Conduct (2) two 8 to 10 minute interviews, with two different people, two different times.
5. Interview one use the set of interview questions (5 minimum) with only primary open-ended questions; Interview two use the set of interview questions with primary open ended questions and added probing questions to each primary question.
6. Compare and contrast the amount and nature of the information you obtained fro each interview (150 - 250 words).
7. To earn credit for this assignment you must: complete the tasks above in their current order and submit via Canvas by the workshop due date, all in one document. Just the questions and probes, not the answers to the questions.You do not need consent forms for this workshop (NOTE: if you did this workshop for one of my inquiry classes - do it again. Trust me, you need the practice!).

 Cardinal Rules of Interviewing

1. Do not waste the interviewees time.

The interviewer must be fully prepared for the interview. This includes having an interview schedule (written out questions and follow-ups); be punctual, and avoid obvious or common questions which leads to...

2. Only ask questions whose answer cannot be discovered in any other way.

The interviewer needs to do his/her homework. This means doing background research both on the topic and the individual. For example, if you are interviewing someone about their experiences in Iraq, you will need to know background information on the war, military and Iraqi culture, and anything else that will give you the knowledge to ask informed and insightful questions.  The only exception is to clarify information gained from another source or that was unclear. It is also helpful to talk to "cultural informants" or people who are familiar with the same scene/culture/experience as the interviewee. To use the same example, you could talk with someone who had served in the military or in Iraq to gain insights and fine-tune your questions. By illustrating that you did your homework, you signal to the interviewee that you respect them and care about their experiences.

3. Always get informed consent.

An interviewee must know exactly what you are going to do with the information you gather from him/her. This should be explicitly laid out for them. There should always be a consent form that the interviewee should sign that indicates they know how this information is to be used and that they agree to be recorded. The interviewee should get a copy (Interviewee_Consent Form:

4. Always record your interview.

Sometimes this is impossible, but not having a recording is a serious set-back to collecting good data. You will always take notes, but recording will allow you to engage more directly with the interviewee and will capture many things you will miss that could prove important. Most laptops will record voice without an external microphone. Garage Band is particularly effective. There are also smart phone functions and apps that record. Always test your gear and make sure the interview knows you will be recording. Do not set your up laptop between you, set it off to the side where you alone can see the screen.

Types of Questions

There are many different types of questions. A primary question is a question that makes sense out of context. For example, "How did you become interested in politics. For qualitative interviews, you should concentrate on open-ended questions. You want people to feel free to talk and provide in-depth responses. There are several types of open-ended primary questions.

Highly open-ended questions

These types of questions give the broadest latitude for interviewees to answer. For example, "Tell me about your trip to Haiti?" or "What do you remember about the accident?"

Moderately open-ended questions

These types of questions give a degree of latitude for interviewees to answer. For example, "What were living conditions like in Haiti?" or 'What were your first thoughts after you crawled out of your car?"

Probing or follow-up questions

Probes or follow-up questions seek to get further details and clarifications fro interviewees. Probing questions cannot stand alone and only make sense in the context of other questions. There are many types of probing questions, here are a few useful ones to think about.

Silent probes

Silent probes use silence or non-verbal cues such a a smile to give interviewees a chance to respond. Generally people do not like silence and will seek to fill the void. Whatever you do, DO NOT simply stare at the interview in silence! Take notes, take  drink of water, etc.

Nudging Probe

Nudging probes are short verbal nudges to get interviewees to respond. For example, "I see." or "Go on." or "And?" can all be effective nudges.

Clearinghouse Probes

Clearing House Probes are good for discovering if your other questions have been effective and to get an additional information that may be out there. It is a good way to end a section and proceed to the nest topic. For example, "What else did Officer Jones say to the suspect?" or "is there anything else you would like to add about your experience with technology in the classroom?"

Informational Probes

Informational Probes are great for getting past superficial answers. For example, "Why do you think she said that?" or "When you say it bothered you a little, what do mean by 'a little?'"