Field Research: Conducting an Interview

1. Field Research: Conducting an Interview A workshop brought to you by the Purdue University Writing Lab Purdue University Writing Lab

2. How to Conduct an Interview • Making contact with your interviewee • Preparing for the interview • Coming up with Questions • Meeting with your interviewee • Following up on your interview Purdue University Writing Lab

3. Setting up the Interview • Contact the potential interviewee in advance • Be sure that you ask for the interview. This person is doing you a favor • Arrange a specific time and place, and let the interviewee know how much time it will take • Identify the topic that you will be discussing during the interview Purdue University Writing Lab

4. Preparing for the interview • Be sure to write out a list of questions in advance • Find out whatever information you can about the person you’re interviewing • Decide which questions are highest priority if time runs short • Decide what your goals are for the interview Purdue University Writing Lab

5. Coming up with Questions • Ask yourself: “What is it that I need to know? • Write down a list of things that you are hoping to find out • Write a list of questions that you think will lead to these answers • Check the questions carefully to see if the wording could be offensive to your interviewee Purdue University Writing Lab

6. Meeting the Interviewee • Always bring a stiff-backed notebook and several trustworthy writing instruments • If you wish to tape-record your interview, always ask before doing so • Keep notes on the interview, but make sure that you are still talking to the interviewee, not just scribbling Purdue University Writing Lab

7. Meeting the Interviewee(cont.) • Be sure that you come to the interview with a prepared list of questions (more than you think you’ll need!) • Try to stick to the topic at hand, but be ready to be flexible if your interviewee brings up unexpected but valuable information. Purdue University Writing Lab

8. Online Interviewing • If you need to interview via email, don’t forget to ask permission for the interview • Make sure that you establish the scope of the interview and the amount of time the interviewee is committing to. • Remember that the same rules of courtesy still apply Purdue University Writing Lab

9. Following up the Interview • Always be sure to thank your interviewee, orally and in writing • Once you have written up your results, let your interviewee see the results, in order to confirm that you’ve represented him/her accurately • Write up your results soon after the interview while they’re fresh in your mind Purdue University Writing Lab

10. Conducting an Interview • Remember, conducting a successful interview involves attention to each of the following steps: • Making contact • Preparing for the interview • Meeting the interviewee • Following up on the interview Purdue University Writing Lab

11. Where can you go for more help with field research? • The Writing Lab Heavilon Hall Room 226 494-3723 http://owl.english.purdue.edu Or email owl@owl.english.purdue.edu with brief questions. Purdue University Writing Lab