4.1 Preparing for and Conducting Interviews
2 min read•august 9, 2024
Interviews are crucial for gathering firsthand information and perspectives. Proper preparation involves thorough research, crafting thoughtful questions, and considering logistical details. This groundwork sets the stage for a productive conversation.
During the interview, effective communication techniques and careful documentation are key. , adapting to the 's style, and managing dynamics help create a comfortable environment for open dialogue and insightful responses.
Interview Preparation
Research and Planning
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- Conduct thorough background research on the interviewee and topic
- Develop a comprehensive interview guide outlining key points to cover
- Craft encouraging detailed responses (What motivated you to pursue this career?)
- Select an appropriate location conducive to a comfortable conversation (quiet coffee shop)
- Test and prepare recording devices to ensure clear audio capture
- Obtain from the interviewee for recording and publication
Question Development Strategies
- Frame questions to elicit specific information while allowing for elaboration
- Incorporate a mix of factual and opinion-based inquiries
- Arrange questions in a logical sequence, building from general to specific
- Prepare potential based on anticipated responses
- Include questions addressing different perspectives on controversial topics
- Tailor language and complexity to the interviewee's background and expertise
Logistical Considerations
- Confirm interview time and location in advance
- Arrive early to set up equipment and review materials
- Bring backup recording devices and extra batteries
- Prepare a brief introduction explaining the interview's purpose and format
- Have water available for both and interviewee
- Plan for potential interruptions or technical difficulties
Conducting the Interview
Effective Communication Techniques
- Practice active listening focusing on the interviewee's responses
- Maintain eye contact to demonstrate engagement and build rapport
- Use non-verbal cues like nodding to encourage further elaboration
- Employ strategic pauses allowing the interviewee time to reflect and expand
- Adapt questioning style based on the interviewee's personality and comfort level
- Summarize key points periodically to ensure accurate understanding
Documentation and Follow-up
- Take concise notes capturing main ideas and memorable quotes
- Jot down potential follow-up questions as they arise during the conversation
- Record time stamps for significant moments or quotes in audio recordings
- Ask for clarification on ambiguous or complex statements
- Request specific examples to illustrate abstract concepts or general statements
- Conclude the interview by asking if the interviewee has additional information to share
Managing Interview Dynamics
- Observe and interpret the interviewee's body language for signs of comfort or unease
- Adjust your own body language to create a relaxed atmosphere (open posture)
- Redirect the conversation if it veers off-topic while maintaining a natural flow
- Handle sensitive topics with tact and respect for the interviewee's boundaries
- Manage time effectively ensuring all key points are covered within the allotted duration
- Express gratitude for the interviewee's time and insights at the conclusion
Key Terms to Review (18)
Accuracy: Accuracy refers to the precision and correctness of information presented in journalism. It is crucial for building trust with the audience and ensuring that news reporting reflects true events and facts. Accuracy involves thorough fact-checking, responsible sourcing, and a commitment to providing clear and reliable information.
Active Listening: Active listening is the process of fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said during a conversation. This technique goes beyond merely hearing words; it involves engaging with the speaker, showing empathy, and providing feedback to ensure that the message is accurately interpreted. In various communication contexts, active listening fosters deeper connections and promotes effective information exchange.
Confidentiality: Confidentiality refers to the ethical principle of keeping information private and protected from unauthorized access or disclosure. It is essential in maintaining trust between journalists and their sources, allowing for open communication without fear of repercussions. Respecting confidentiality is crucial during interviews, in investigative reporting, and when considering the legal implications of privacy rights.
Empathetic engagement: Empathetic engagement refers to the process of actively connecting with another person's feelings and experiences in a way that fosters understanding and compassion. In interviews, this means being fully present and attentive, making an effort to grasp the emotional context behind the subject’s words. This connection enhances the quality of the conversation, allowing for deeper insights and more authentic storytelling.
Fairness: Fairness in journalism refers to the ethical principle of providing balanced and impartial coverage, ensuring that all relevant perspectives are represented and treated with respect. This involves presenting information in a way that does not favor one side over another, allowing audiences to make informed opinions based on comprehensive reporting. It emphasizes the importance of integrity and accountability in storytelling.
Follow-up questions: Follow-up questions are inquiries posed during an interview that seek to clarify, expand, or deepen the conversation based on the initial responses of the interviewee. These questions help to gather more detailed information, ensure understanding, and encourage the interviewee to share more insights or experiences. They are essential in creating a more engaging and informative dialogue that leads to richer narratives and character development.
Informed Consent: Informed consent is the process of obtaining permission from individuals before involving them in research, interviews, or any activities that may affect their rights or well-being. It emphasizes that participants should be fully aware of the purpose, risks, and potential benefits of their participation, ensuring they have all the necessary information to make an informed decision. This concept is crucial for maintaining ethical standards and protecting individuals’ autonomy across various situations.
Interviewee: An interviewee is a person who is being interviewed, typically providing information, opinions, or experiences relevant to the subject at hand. Their responses and insights play a crucial role in shaping the narrative and depth of the interview, making them central to the interview process and outcome.
Interviewer: An interviewer is a person who conducts interviews, typically to gather information, opinions, or insights from respondents. This role is crucial in the process of preparing for and conducting interviews, as it requires skillful questioning and active listening to elicit meaningful responses from participants. The effectiveness of an interviewer can significantly impact the quality of the information gathered and the overall success of the interview process.
Notebook: A notebook is a crucial tool used by journalists to record notes, ideas, and information during interviews or research sessions. It serves as a physical or digital repository for thoughts and quotes, ensuring that important details are not lost. A well-organized notebook aids in the preparation and execution of interviews, making it easier to follow up on questions and manage the flow of conversation.
Open-Ended Questions: Open-ended questions are inquiries that encourage expansive responses rather than simple yes or no answers. They promote dialogue, allowing the interviewee to share their thoughts, experiences, and feelings in detail. This type of questioning is vital in various contexts, as it helps uncover deeper insights and fosters a more meaningful connection between the interviewer and the subject.
Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing is the process of restating someone else's ideas or information in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. This skill is essential in journalism, as it allows reporters to convey information accurately and clearly while avoiding plagiarism. Effective paraphrasing also demonstrates a journalist's understanding of the subject and their ability to communicate complex ideas in a straightforward manner.
Primary Source: A primary source is a direct or firsthand piece of evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. It offers original content and insights that are critical for understanding the context and details surrounding the subject being studied. Primary sources include interviews, original documents, photographs, and artifacts, making them essential for gathering accurate information and establishing credibility in journalism.
Probing: Probing is the technique used in interviews to elicit deeper and more comprehensive responses from the interviewee. By asking follow-up questions and encouraging elaboration, probing helps to clarify answers and reveal more information, leading to a richer understanding of the subject matter.
Secondary source: A secondary source is any document or record that interprets, analyzes, or summarizes information from primary sources, which are direct or firsthand accounts. These sources help contextualize events, ideas, or data by providing commentary or critique, making them valuable in research and reporting.
Structured Interview: A structured interview is a research method where an interviewer follows a predetermined set of questions, ensuring consistency and comparability across different interviews. This approach helps to minimize biases and allows for the collection of quantitative data, which can be easily analyzed. By using a fixed format, structured interviews streamline the interview process and enhance reliability.
Unstructured Interview: An unstructured interview is a conversational style of interviewing where the interviewer asks open-ended questions and allows the interviewee to guide the discussion. This format fosters a more natural and free-flowing dialogue, which can lead to richer insights and personal stories. It contrasts with structured interviews, which have a predetermined set of questions, and is particularly useful for exploring complex topics or understanding individual perspectives.
Voice recorder: A voice recorder is a device used to capture audio, typically in the form of interviews or spoken notes, by converting sound waves into a digital or analog format. It plays a crucial role in journalism by ensuring that interviews are accurately documented, allowing for easier transcription and analysis of the spoken content. This technology aids journalists in preserving the exact words of their sources, which is essential for accuracy and credibility in reporting.