From Inquiry to Academic Writing A Practical Guide, 3rd edition

334 CHAPTER 11 | OTHER METHOdS Of InquIRy: InTERvIEwS And fOCuS GROuPS

After you answer these questions, revise the script to improve the content,

order, and pacing of your questions.

■ conduct the interview

On the day before the interview, contact the individual you plan to interview

to confirm that he or she remembers the time of the interview and knows

how to find the location where the interview will take place. Also, as you pre-

pare for your interview, look over your questions and check your recorder

to make sure it is functioning and has sufficient recording capacity for the

interview. Be on time. Have a brief conversation to put this individual at ease

and then ask this person to read and sign the consent form (see Figure 11.2).

Explain use of technology. Explain why recording the interview is necessary

(“I know what you’re saying is really important, and I want to listen to you

during your interview, not take notes as you speak. As a result, I will record

our conversation so I can remember the important things you tell me”).

Describe the interview process. Explain what types of questions you will

ask in the interview (“Today, I’m going to ask you questions about school

and your family”). In addition, explain why you’re interested in knowing

this information (“I want to learn more about you and your family so I can

understand what techniques for school, family, etc. are helpful for you”).

Keep the interview conversational. Use your script as a guide, but be flex-

ible, treating the interview as a conversation. This might mean following

the direction that the person you interview takes in answering a question.

Listen. Don’t interrupt. That is, you might ask what you think is a pointed

question and this person might begin to tell a story that may not seem rele-

vant. Let the person finish and patiently return to the questions you would

like this person to address. You can also try rephrasing your question(s)

to be more specific about the information you need. If you think at some

point that the interviewee is implying something of special interest to you,

ask for clarification.

Respect silence. If any interviewee is silent for a while after you ask a ques-

tion, be patient and don’t immediately repeat or ask another question. The

interviewee may need time to gather his or her thoughts or understand the

question. After some time has passed, you can ask this person the question

again or ask another question.

Keep track of important questions. Toward the end of the interview, check

your script for important questions you may have forgotten to ask. If there

are several, try to ask only the most important ones in the time remaining.

You can also ask to have a follow-up meeting to ensure that you have got-

ten the information you need.

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