Introduction to Interviewing Techniques

1. Introduction to Interviewing Techniques Materials Developed by The IRIS Center at the University of Maryland

2. PARTS OF AN INTERVIEW INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES • INTRODUCTION: • Identify yourself, survey sponsor • Explain purpose, what info is sought and how it will be used • Verify it is the right person • Stress confidentiality, voluntary participation, andthat respondent may ask questions • Ask permission to proceed

3. PARTS OF ANINTERVIEW • INTERVIEW: • Ask question exactly as written • Listen/determine relevant info • Record answers in correct place • Probe to increase accuracy/ clarity & completeness • Avoid unnecessary reinforcement: “oh, that’s very good!” • Never suggest an answer (otherwise called prompting)

4. INTERVIEWING TIPS • Show interest. (use words such as: “uhm-mmm”, “I see”, “yes”, tell the client that she has been heard) • Pause. Silence tells her you are waiting to hear more • Repeat the question. (To help client if she did not understand or strayed from the question) • Repeat the reply. To stimulate client to say more, or recognize the inaccuracy.

5. INTERVIEWER SKILLS • Be very familiar with the survey questions and their flow to project a confident, self-assured manner • Read the questions exactly as written • Probe when multiple answers are possible or initial responses are unclear • Record responses completely and properly

6. DO NOT • Get involved in long explanations of the study such as trying to explain sampling • Deviate from the study introduction, sequence of questions, or question wording • Try to justify or defend what you are doing. • Suggest an answer or agree or disagree with an answer

7. DO NOT • Rush the respondent • Patronize respondents • Dominate the interview • Prompt the respondent for specific answers • Let another person answer for the sampled respondent • Interview someone you know • Falsify interviews • Improvise

8. PARTS OF AN INTERVIEW ENDING THE INTERVIEW: • Thank client. Tell that it is important/helpful info to program • Answer any of client’s questions - about interview or content of survey POST INTERVIEW: • Proofread completed questionnaire, find & correct errors. Fill in household roster questions. Clarify writing and add any clarifying notes.