Introduction to Adacemic Research Interviewing Skills

Contents

Conducting an Interview
Preparing for the Interview
Types of Questions
Beginning the Interview
Conducting the Interview
Concluding the Interview

Conducting an Interview

Jose:   Before we get started, I just want to let you guys know that I need to leave a few minutes early.

Brian:   What's up, Jose?

Jose:   Well, I have to do this interview thing for my English class.

Deena:   Who are you interviewing?

Jose:   A doctor downtown.   I've got some questions ready, but I really don't know if I'm going about it correctly.   I've never done this before.

Sage:   Come on, Jose, it can't be that bad.   Besides, you can't really say that you've never done it before.

Jose:   Huh?

Heather:   Sage is right, Jose.   We've all had to get information from someone at sometime - and that's all interviewing is.

Jose:   I guess you're right, but I just wish I had some tips for dealing with this.

Brian:   You mean like the hints we seem to have for everything else that we do?

Jose:   Exactly!

Deena:   Maybe that's what we should talk about during this meeting. I bet we can come up with some.

Jose:   That's a good idea, Deena.   I'd really appreciate it.

Preparing for the Interview

Jose:   I'm still unsure of what I need to do in this interview.

Sage:   You need a plan. There are four basic steps to follow for any data-gathering interview.

1. Preparing for the interview.
2. Beginning the interview.
3. Conducting the interview.
4. Concluding the interview.

Jose:   Sounds good. Now all I need to know is how each step works.

Brian:   It seems that you should first figure out just what you want to get out of the interview.

Jose:   You mean we should set goals?

Deena:   Right. You should definitely understand the purpose of the interview. You should have questions prepared in advance--questions that will give you the information you need.

To prepare to conduct an interview, follow the same format you use for active reading (see the Active Reading module).

1. Prepare for the interview by gathering as much information as possible on the subject of the interview.
2. Develop questions about the subject matter as a starting point for gathering information.
3. The type of questions you ask will determine the quality of the responses. Therefore, critical thinking skills are very important to this step in the process.  
   

Types of questions:

To conduct an interview, there are different types of questions you might ask.

• Information
• Comprehension
• Application
• Analysis
• Synthesis
• Evaluation

Information Questions

These questions obtain knowledge and information by asking the interviewee to recall facts, terms, and basic concepts.

The types of questions that are associated with this level of critical thinking use the following key words: who, what, why, when, where, which, choose, find, how, define, label, show, spell, list, name, relate, tell, recall, select, identify, recognize, record, relate, repeat, and underline.

For example:

• How is....?
• What is...?
• When did...?
• Who did...?

Comprehension Questions

These questions help an interviewer understand a topic by having the interviewee address facts and ideas through organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating main ideas.

The types of questions that are associated with this level of critical thinking use the following key words: choose, cite examples of, compare, contrast, demonstrate, describe, determine, differentiate between, discriminate, discuss, interpret, explain, express, extend, give in own words, identify, illustrate, infer, interpret, locate, phrase, pick, practice, outline, relate, report, respond, restate, review, recognize, select, tell, translate, summarize, show, and simulate.

For example:

• What facts or ideas show...?
• Which is the best example...?
• How would you summarize...?

Application Questions

These questions obtain information by asking for solutions to problems in which the interviewee must apply acquired knowledge, facts, techniques, and rules.

The types of questions that are associated with this level of critical thinking use the following key words: apply, build, choose, construct, demonstrate, develop, dramatize, employ, generalize, illustrate, interpret, make use of, model, operate, practice, relate, schedule, select, shop, solve, use, utilize, and initiate.

For example:

• How would you build....?
• What approach do you use when...?
• What would happen if...?

Analysis Questions

These questions obtain information by asking the interviewee to examine problems, break information into parts, identify motives and causes, and show ways that a theory is supported.

The types of questions that are associated with this level of critical thinking use the following key words: analyze, appraise, calculate, categorize, compare, conclude, contrast, correlate, criticize, deduce, debate, detect, determine, develop, diagram, differentiate, distinguish, draw conclusions, estimate, evaluate, examine, experiment, identify, infer, inspect, inventory, predict, question, relate, solve, test, and diagnose.

For example:

• What is the motive behind that statement...?
• What is the relationship between...?
• Can you identify the parts of...?

Synthesis Questions

These questions obtain information by asking the interviewee to solve problems, or to apply acquired knowledge, facts, techniques, and rules.

The types of questions that are associated with this level of critical thinking use the following key words: adapt, arrange, assemble, collect, compose, construct, create, design, develop, estimate, formulate, invent, improve, manage, modify, organize, plan, prepare, produce, propose, predict, reconstruct, set-up, solve, synthesize, systematize, and devise.

For example:

• How would you improve...?
• What changes would you make...?
• Could you provide more information on...?

Evaluation Questions

These questions ask the interviewee to present and defend opinions by judging information and the validity of certain ideas.

The types of questions that are associated with this level of critical thinking use the following key words:   agree, appraise, assess, choose, compare, conclude, critique, decide, defend, estimate, evaluate, judge, measure, opinion, perceive, rate, revise, score, select, support, validate, value, and test.

For example:

• What is your opinion of...?
• How would you evaluate...?
• Why is this better than...?

Other Types of Questions

Often, interviews use another general set of question types in addition to the six types of questions described above, including close-ended, open-ended, and probing questions.

Close-ended Questions

When you ask a close-ended question, the response will generally be "closed." Responses are limited to things such as a set of choices, a number, or a Yes/No reply. Think of the many multiple choice or True/False tests you have taken during your career as a student. These are clear examples of close-ended questions. The advantage of using close-ended questions is that they tend to produce data that are objective or concrete--quick and easy to categorize, sort, and calculate.

Open-ended Questions

Unlike close-ended questions, an open-ended question may result in a variety of responses. The answer is typically richer and contains more natural dialogue, resulting in more detailed information. You may learn about things you hadn't anticipated when you prepared for the interview. The type of data generated by open-ended questions is harder to categorize and sort, the analysis of this data is more time consuming for the interviewer/researcher.

Probing Questions

One important aspect of a probing question is that it indicates to the person you are interviewing that you are really listening, because you probe--or follow up on a response. When you ask a probing question you are seeking additional information, more detail, the interviewee's reaction, or clarification on some point. Sometimes this type of question is required to overcome an interviewee's reluctance to talk.

Beginning the Interview

Jose:   Do I list or ask questions in any special way?

Heather:   An agenda or interview guide might be a good idea.

Jose:   I can see how an agenda would help me order the questions and track my progress.

Heather:   It also can help you establish a good relationship with the person you're interviewing. You should make sure the person you're interviewing understands what you want to talk about.

Deena:   Let's talk about what happens as the interview begins.

Heather:   Start out seriously, with the easy questions first.   That way you look professional, and will set the other person at ease -- make them look smart!

Deena:   Be on time!   Nothing makes a bad impression like being late.

Atmosphere

A non-judgmental atmosphere is the type of atmosphere to develop when you gather data. When interviewing someone to gather information or data:

1. Be on time for the interview.
2. Be clear about the nature of the relationship. The nature of the relationship is established quickly during introductions or shortly after the initial contact. Let an interviewee know :
   • Who you are
   • The topic under investigation
   • The purpose of the interview (goals and objectives)

3. Start out with easy questions you know the interviewee will have little or no trouble answering. Then gradually move on to harder or more sensitive questions.
4. Use active listening skills (see the module on Active Listening) when interviewing. Clarify ideas by paraphrasing. Feedback and paraphrasing offer an opportunity to clear up any misunderstandings.
   • Take time to make sure you understand -- this will make your interviewee less likely to be defensive.
   • Provide reassurance that the information being provided to you is useful and informative.

5. Respond to the interviewee's work with integrity. Be honest in your response to any inquiries made by your source.
6. Offer your opinion only when asked.
7. Be professional and positive in your demeanor. Don't joke or try to be funny unless you are sure your humor will be well received.
   

Conducting the Interview

Jose:   I'm a little concerned that I'm not going to understand what the person I'm interviewing is talking about. I'm going to be talking to a doctor and, well ...

Deena:   Right. There are things you can do to help make the relationship between the two of you a positive and productive one. Use active listening, for example.

Jose:   There have to be some other things I need to know about this interview.

Heather:   Shouldn't you write things down during the interview?

Deena:   Definitely. You should use note-taking skills (see the module on Notetaking).

Sage:   Right. You should also make sure you revise the responses later. These initial responses can be used to help create more questions for later in the interview.

 

Think about possible answers to the questions you ask. Coming up with and evaluating your own answers allows you to prepare for the responses your interviewee might give. Can you come up with answers based on the information you have already received? If not, then consider asking a new question -- because the information you've received has not yet met the goal and objectives of your interview.

As responses are given during the interview, apply your note taking skills. Be sure to record the responses received and revise your question list based on the responses. As the person is speaking, use his or her responses as a guide for developing additional questions. Respond mentally to each statement by putting the statement in the form of a question and using the various levels of critical thinking questions you have learned (i.e. "What? How? When? Where? and Why?").

Repeat the cycle of acquiring, understanding, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information until you are satisfied with the results.

Remember to:

• Actively consider the information provided during the interview. Develop more questions by using your critical thinking skills.
• Reflect on and paraphrase the information given to you during the interview for the interviewee.
• At the end of the interview you should: summarize the main ideas, supporting ideas, and any examples presented.

Concluding the Interview

Jose:   So, how do I know when the interview is over?

Deena:   That's simple. You just keep asking questions like we've talked about. When you're satisfied with the information you've collected, then you know the interview is over.

Jose:   How do I end it?

Heather:   Give the interviewee a chance to ask any questions you can answer.

Brian:   Shouldn't you summarize the main results of the interview?

Jose:   That makes sense.

Deena:   You should also make sure you have an opportunity to return if you have more questions later.

Jose:   Sort of "keeping the door open"...

Sage:   How about thanking the interviewee for his or her time?

Everyone:   Duh!

• Give the interviewee a chance to ask any questions you can answer.
• Summarize the main results of the interview.
• If possible, make sure you have an opportunity to ask additional questions at a later time.
• Thank the interviewee for his or her time.
  

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