B=S10) Biber HOW DO | CONDUCT INTERVIEWS PROPERLY? @® Exeiore ‘Tune in to a program in the television or radio where a host interviews a ‘guest or resource person. + How do interviewers conduct themselves during the interview? + What is the demeanor of the interviewee? Are they cooperative to the interviewer? + Was the interviewer successful in getting the cooperation of the interviewee? «What lessons can you learn from the said interview? @ EXAMINE Interviews are the most common data collection method for qualitative research, The researcher asks questions, to which the participant gives answers - supplying information that would constitute the data collected forthe research. Insights, perspectives, experiences, and opinions may +e gleaned from the participants during the interview, which could contribute a lot to the research. Qualitative interviews can have a wide range of types - from semi- structured interviews to unstructured ones - depending on what ‘ype of data the research needs. The interview may be semi- schich means that the questions are free-flowing, and the interviewer thas no set of pre-arranged questions, These are also called open-ended interviews where the interviewers ‘probe’ a topic through follow-up questions (Roulston & Choi, 2018). In contrast, standard structured {interviews ask questions that are determined beforehand and are given inthe same onder to every participant in the interview. The interview may be done face-to-face, through the telephone or a video conferencing system. This is often recorded, via a voice ‘video recorder. for easy retrieval and processing at a later time. The interviewer may also opt to record the answers by taking notes. Having a conversation with the participant may look easy, but there are several ways that an interview may not result in an optimal situation. In this lesson, we will learn how to successfully conduct interviews and avoid some pitfalls that could ruin the activity. Preparation ‘To prepare, read about the topic for your research project and be sure ‘to get more information, Getting acquainted with your interviewee and his background will also help. Develop the questions that you‘would want to ask during the interview. It helps to have am interview guide, a general set of questions that points to the information you would. need to glean for your research. Try to practice with a groupmate or a colleague, and get their feedback about the way you conducted the mock interview, ‘Make sure you have the consent forms ready and get the participants to sign them before conducting the interview. Coordinate with your adviser and the community gatekeepers regarding this activity. Location ‘Make sure to select a location that is conducive to the interview: place where the interviewee can feel relaxed and comfortable. Avoid laces that are too noisy, as this can distract you and the participant. ‘The noise can also make transcribing difficult and could result in having incomplete data, Equipment Be ready with the recording equipment you will use to document the interview. Digital voice recorders may use memory cards or cassette ‘tapes; make sure you have ample memory or tapes that can last the duration of the interview. This is also the same with video recording equipment. Power sources, such as batteries, are also to be considered during preparation; make sure you have ample power to last the whole interview. [fable, secure backup equipment. Interviewer As an interviewer, preparation is key to be able to carry out the activity successfully. These are things that you would need to remember during the interview process: + Build rapport. This will result in a more relaxed interview that will enable the intervieviee to give detatled and thoughtful answers, which you will need foryour research, + Show respect to the participants. ‘This will eommunieate that you are serious about the activity and that you can be trusted with the information they disclose. «Be sensitive to the gender, race, or age of your participants. ‘Avoid comments that can be misconstrued as disrespectful or insensitive, The last thing you would want in an interview is an irate, defensive, or belligerent interviewee.INTEGRATE + Actively listen. Make eye contact and listen to their responses carefully. Do not get distracted with other people or things while doing the interview, such as checking your phone for messages orby Jetting your mind wander elsewhere while talking to them. + Be spontaneous in giving the questions. This will give the {interview natural flow so as not to come off as rigid or forced. * Be open-minded. Do not mentally judge or criticize your ‘interviewee and their responses; rather, be more empatheticso that ‘you can understand where they are coming from. + Avoid leading questions. Do not force them into answering questions they are uncomfortable with. When asking sensitive questions, start with easy and non-threatening questions first to ‘build rapport and trust before moving to more difficult questions. Use a preface, such as ‘is it OK:if we can talk about...?” or “Mayl ask ‘you about...2" to signal to the interviewee that you are moving toa sensitive area in the interview. + Be prepared to handle unexpected reactions. As participants share their intimate experiences or some details about their lives, ‘they may become emotional. When this happens, pause the interview and guide the participant until s/he is ready to continue. + Take note of their body language. You may get some cues and context to what they are saying when observing their mannerisms and body language. They could be communicating more than what ‘they are saying. ‘Body lnnguage and pestures can communicate mere than verbal responses + Do not interrupt your interviewee or attempt to finish their sentences. ‘You could be injecting your own opinion or biases when you do. It could also be misconstrued as being disrespectful. + Do not sway nor try to influence your interviewee about their responses to avoid injecting your biases or opinions. Nodding or even saying “I agree” could unduly influence your interviewee. Do not try ‘to “fill in the blanks” in your participant's responses.+ Stay focused and control the flow of the interview. The discussion may veer off course, as partieipants ean go off-topic in their responses. Gently and tactfully nudge the conversation back on track when this happens. + Minimize note-taking to a minimum during the interview as this ‘might be distracting to the interviewee. Get a dedicated note-taker when doing a group interview or focus group. Keeping these things in mind during the course of the interview would contribute to a successful aetivity.JMMARY QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS Preparetion Equipments CHECK A. Why is it important to develop rapport with your participants? In what ways can you build rapport with your interviewees? B. In what ways cam the interviewer or interviewee sabotage the interview? What are some ways to avoid this? a BUILD. + Develop the questions that you will use for your interview based ‘on your research aims. Consult your advisor regarding your ‘quéstionnaire, and get their comments and suggestions on how to refine it further. + Practice with groupmates or classmates, and have someone observe the interview. Get their feedback and see how you can further improve. + Start interviewing your research participants using the questions you have developed. Coordinate nith your adviser and the gatekeeper, if any, when you start this activity. Make sure the participants sign the consent forms before beginning the interview.