Choose a person that you can interview in person, by phone, or over some kind of video conference, such as Skype or Facetime.
Directions:
After selecting a person and an interview topic, do some background research on your interviewee’s field. This helps build rapport by demonstrating an interest in their field, helps you understand any specialized vocabulary that might come up, and helps you craft better questions. Prepare at least eight questions, at least five of which are open response. Provide your interviewee a copy of the questions in advance, if possible.
Aim for an interview that lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Make note of any follow up questions that are generated during discussion. Particularly in social science research, interviews are usually recorded and transcribed, but you are not required to do that for this assignment.
Once you complete your interview, compile a report with your questions, any follow up questions, and a summary of your interviewee’s response to each question. Indicate which questions, if any, are follow ups.
Example:
Rob: Can you describe your relationship with the other school staff?
MG: The school staff was pretty small. There were six teachers and a principal, and we tried to get together about a week for a staff meeting / potluck, usually on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend. The staff was pretty cohesive since we all faced the same issues at the start of the year, but my wife and I were the only ones that stayed after the first year. It was very difficult for most of the teachers.
Rob: I see. Did the principal remain after the first year? (Follow up)
MG: No. We actually had five administrators come through the position in the three years that we were there.
Report Checklist (turn in via Google Docs or printed hard copy)
Due: Tuesday, November 27
Tips and tricks for Interviewing:
https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
https://www.thoughtco.com/conducting-interviews-for-news-stories-2073868
https://www.thoughtco.com/interview-composition-term-1691078
Directions:
After selecting a person and an interview topic, do some background research on your interviewee’s field. This helps build rapport by demonstrating an interest in their field, helps you understand any specialized vocabulary that might come up, and helps you craft better questions. Prepare at least eight questions, at least five of which are open response. Provide your interviewee a copy of the questions in advance, if possible.
Aim for an interview that lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Make note of any follow up questions that are generated during discussion. Particularly in social science research, interviews are usually recorded and transcribed, but you are not required to do that for this assignment.
Once you complete your interview, compile a report with your questions, any follow up questions, and a summary of your interviewee’s response to each question. Indicate which questions, if any, are follow ups.
Example:
Rob: Can you describe your relationship with the other school staff?
MG: The school staff was pretty small. There were six teachers and a principal, and we tried to get together about a week for a staff meeting / potluck, usually on a Friday afternoon or over the weekend. The staff was pretty cohesive since we all faced the same issues at the start of the year, but my wife and I were the only ones that stayed after the first year. It was very difficult for most of the teachers.
Rob: I see. Did the principal remain after the first year? (Follow up)
MG: No. We actually had five administrators come through the position in the three years that we were there.
Report Checklist (turn in via Google Docs or printed hard copy)
- Your prepared questions (at least 5 open ended)
- Any follow up questions that came up during the interview
- Summary of your subject’s responses
Due: Tuesday, November 27
Tips and tricks for Interviewing:
https://managementhelp.org/businessresearch/interviews.htm
https://www.thoughtco.com/conducting-interviews-for-news-stories-2073868
https://www.thoughtco.com/interview-composition-term-1691078