Interviewee

Definition

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.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The interviewee's comfort level can significantly impact the quality and depth of the information they provide during an interview.
2. Good interviewers prepare by researching their interviewees beforehand to tailor questions that resonate with their experiences or expertise.
3. Establishing rapport with an interviewee is crucial; a relaxed environment can lead to more honest and insightful responses.
4. The role of an interviewee can vary greatly depending on the context, such as whether they are a source for a news story or sharing personal experiences for a documentary.
5. Feedback from interviewees can enhance future interviews, helping interviewers refine their approach and question strategies.

Review Questions

• How does an interviewee's background influence the information they provide during an interview?
  • An interviewee's background can greatly influence their perspective and the type of information they share. For instance, their personal experiences, education, and profession shape how they view issues and respond to questions. This means that understanding an interviewee's background can help the interviewer tailor questions that elicit deeper insights and more relevant answers, ultimately enriching the overall quality of the interview.
• Discuss the importance of building rapport with an interviewee and its effect on the interview outcome.
  • Building rapport with an interviewee is essential because it fosters trust and openness. When interviewees feel comfortable, they are more likely to share candid responses and insights. This can lead to a more engaging conversation where richer information is revealed. Effective rapport-building techniques, such as active listening and showing empathy, can enhance the quality of the dialogue and result in more meaningful content.
• Evaluate how different interviewing techniques might affect the responses of an interviewee in various contexts.
  • Different interviewing techniques can significantly impact how an interviewee responds based on the context of the conversation. For example, using open-ended questions encourages detailed narratives, while closed questions might limit responses to yes/no answers. In a journalistic setting, an interviewer may choose a confrontational style to elicit reactions on controversial topics, which could lead to defensive answers from the interviewee. Alternatively, a more conversational style might yield deeper insights when discussing personal experiences. Therefore, understanding context and adapting techniques accordingly is key to maximizing the effectiveness of interviews.

Related terms

interviewer: The interviewer is the person conducting the interview, responsible for asking questions and guiding the conversation to elicit useful information from the interviewee.

open-ended questions: Questions that encourage detailed responses from the interviewee, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of their thoughts and experiences.

transcription: The process of converting spoken language from the interview into written text, capturing the words of the interviewee for analysis and reference.