Post-interview evaluation

Definition

Post-interview evaluation is the process of reviewing and analyzing the effectiveness and outcomes of an investigative interview after it has taken place. This critical assessment helps identify strengths and weaknesses in the interviewing techniques, the information gathered, and the overall interaction with the interviewee. Through this evaluation, reporters can refine their skills, enhance their interviewing strategies, and improve the quality of information obtained in future interviews.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Post-interview evaluations help identify gaps in the information obtained during an interview, guiding further inquiry if necessary.
2. This evaluation process often involves discussions with colleagues or mentors to gain diverse perspectives on the interview's effectiveness.
3. Analyzing non-verbal cues from both the interviewer and interviewee can provide valuable insights during post-interview evaluations.
4. Regularly conducting post-interview evaluations contributes to a reporter's professional growth by fostering continuous improvement in interviewing skills.
5. Documentation of post-interview evaluations can serve as a useful reference for future interviews, allowing reporters to track their progress over time.

Review Questions

• How does post-interview evaluation contribute to improving interviewing skills?
  • Post-interview evaluation plays a significant role in enhancing interviewing skills by allowing reporters to reflect on their performance. By analyzing what worked well and what didn’t, they can identify specific techniques that were effective and areas where they struggled. This feedback loop helps them refine their approach, ensuring they are better prepared for future interviews.
• In what ways can feedback from colleagues enhance the post-interview evaluation process?
  • Feedback from colleagues can provide valuable insights that the interviewer might not have noticed themselves. Colleagues may observe body language, tone, or questioning strategies that could be improved upon. Incorporating diverse viewpoints into the post-interview evaluation process allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the interview's effectiveness, leading to greater skill enhancement.
• Evaluate the impact of post-interview evaluations on the overall quality of reporting in investigative journalism.
  • Post-interview evaluations significantly impact the overall quality of reporting by ensuring that journalists continuously refine their interviewing strategies based on past experiences. By critically assessing each interview, journalists can identify patterns in successful interactions and areas needing improvement. This commitment to self-evaluation not only enhances the reporter's ability to gather accurate and compelling information but also strengthens public trust in journalism as a whole through higher-quality storytelling.

Related terms

interview techniques: Methods used by reporters to effectively gather information from interviewees, including open-ended questions, active listening, and establishing rapport.

feedback: Constructive criticism or insights provided to interviewers about their performance during interviews, aimed at improving future interactions.

reflection: The act of thinking critically about one's own performance in interviews to understand what worked well and what could be improved.