332 CHAPTER 11 | OTHER METHOdS Of InquIRy: InTERvIEwS And fOCuS GROuPS■ Plan the interview
You’ll want to do some preliminary research to identify people who can
help you understand more about your topic: What kind of expertise or
experience do they have? Then you have to contact them to find out if they
are willing to be interviewed. You can send a brief e-mail or letter to initi-
ate a conversation and then follow up with a phone call.
Based on our own experience, it is important to explain the project
for participants in plain terms. In fact, when you contact potential partici-
pants, we suggest you do so in writing and address the following: Who are
you? What are you doing, and why?
What will you do with what you find? What are possible benefits and
risks? How will you assure confidentiality? How often and how long would
you like to meet for interviews? and the like.
If you are planning to record the interview — always a wise idea — make
sure each individual consents to being recorded. Then make the neces-
sary arrangements. For example, you may need to reserve a room where
you can conduct your interview without being disturbed. Try to choose a
location that is convenient for the individual(s) you want to interview and
familiar, such as a room in a public library.
It’s important to set up appointments with people early. To keep on
schedule, list the names of people who have agreed to be interviewed:Interviewee 1:_________________ Contacted? __ yes/no __ date:_______
Interviewee 2:_________________ Contacted? __ yes/no __ date:_______
Interviewee 3:_________________ Contacted? __ yes/no __ date:_______■ Prepare your script
As you prepare the script of questions for your interview, keep coming back
to the question motivating your research. To what extent will the questions
you want to ask in your interview enable you to answer the broader ques-
tion motivating your research? That is, what is the story you want to tell in
your research? The more specific the questions you ask, the more specific
the answers or story that the person you interview will tell.Build rapport. In any conversation, you want to build rapport and perhaps
establish some common ground. More than getting information from some-
one, an interview can serve as a means to produce knowledge collaboratively
and in ways that are mutually satisfying to you and the people you want to
talk to. To create this kind of conversation, you can help the interviewee feel
at ease and then move on to the issues you want to learn more about.Start with nonthreatening questions. For example, “How long have you
been teaching writing?” “When did you start teaching writing in a hybrid
classroom?” “What digital tools do you use to teach writing in a hybrid
classroom?”11_GRE_5344_Ch11_313_342.indd 332 11/19/14 11:02 AM