Interviewing

= __** Guide to Conducting Interviews **__ = from Sir Frances Drake High School ROCK Student Handbook 2010-2011 **I****.** Before you start: **II.** Conducting the Interview: **III.** Concluding the Interview: **IV.** After the Interview:  **__ Interviewing Checklist: __**
 * 1) Determine the **objective** of your interview. What are you trying to find out? How will you use the information?
 * 2) Research your **topic** __before the interview__. You can’t ask good questions if you don’t know your subject.
 * 3) Prepare your **questions** __before the interview__. Write out general and specific questions. The questions should be related to your objective.
 * 4) Review and practice the proper use of any **video cameras, tape recorders** or other **tools** you plan on using.
 * 5) Make **an appointment** for the interview.
 * 6) telephone skills: know what you are going to say; be polite.
 * 7) identify yourself as a Drake student doing research.
 * 8) explain why you would like to interview this person.
 * 9) arrange an interview time that’s convenient for the interviewee.
 * 1) Arrive on time and prepared.
 * 2) bring all the necessary **tools**: pens, paper, tape recorder, video camera, batteries, etc. Do sound and lighting checks before the interview begins.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">know your assigned **tasks** before you arrive: taping, questioning, recording, writing.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Introduce the Interviewee.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">record the interviewee’s **name, area of expertise and the purpose of the interview**. (Example: “This is Mr. Joe Blow, a retired officer in the U.S. Navy and we’re interviewing him as part of our research into World War II.”)
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;"> Ask, listen, record and write.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">**ask** your prepared questions.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;"> **listen**closely for new questions to ask. Be prepared to pursue an unexpected topic. Don’t ignore good leads.
 * 9) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">**record** the interview
 * 10) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;"> **write** notes, both as a backup and to catch other details.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Don’t conclude until you have achieved your objective. Review your notes. If necessary make another appointment.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Thank your interviewee. Ask him/her if they would like to see the results of your research when it is completed. Be sure to follow through if they say yes.
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">**Review** the information you gathered immediately.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Determine if you achieved your objective:
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">if you need more information, contact your interviewee again.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Make use of the information you gathered.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Label your tape and return any equipment.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 90%;">Write a brief thank-you letter to the interviewee.
 * 1) Understand your objective.
 * 2) Research your topic.
 * 3) Prepare questions.
 * 4) Know how to use your interview tools.
 * 5) Make the appointment.
 * 6) Assign tasks.
 * 7) Use the tools properly.
 * 8) Introduce the interviewee.
 * 9) Ask, listen, record and write.
 * 10) Thank the interviewee.
 * 11) Review your interview.
 * 12) Return your tools.