INTERVIEWING

• Most people think of interviewing in terms of job interviews or

conversations withcelebrities. But there is another kind of interview –
the research (or investigative) interview.
Before the Interview
• The outcome of most interviews is decided by how well
theinterviewer prepares
Define the Purpose of the Interview
You have done library and internet research,but you still
have a lot of questions about the situation at your
school. You decideto get answers from someone associated with
the athletic program. In thatdecision, you have formulated a
purpose for an interview
Decide Whom to Interview
• Selecting the athletic director would be presumptuous.In dealing
with administrative organizations, club leaders should be the
one to beinterviewed. They are likely to have a broad
understanding of the issues. If youneed more specific
information, they can direct you with the right person.
Arrange the interview
• Since the athletic director is busy, work out a plan for settingup
the interview. You go to the athletic office to request the
interview, then thedirector agrees. You set up the interview for
three days later.
Decide whether to Record the Interview
• Recording an interview is advantageousbecause it gives you an
exact record you can check later for direct quotes andimportant
facts. However, if the director does not agree, you will need to
rely solelyon your handwritten notes. Never smuggle a recorder
in without the knowledge orconsent of the person being
interviewed.
Prepare Your Questions.
• you now face the most important of your pre-interviewtasks –
working out the questions you will ask. You should devise
questions thatare sensible, intelligent and meaningful. You
should avoid questions you cananswer without the interview,
leading questions, and hostile, loaded questions.Just phrase
tough questions as neutrally as possible and save them until
near theend ofthe interview. That way, if your interviewee
becomes irritated oruncooperative, you will still get most of the
information you want.
During the Interview.
• Every interview is unique. Because the session will seldom
goexactly as you plan, you need to be alert and flexible. Here
are several steps you can taketo help make things proceed
smoothly.
• Dress Appropriately and Be on Time.
• Repeat the Purpose of the Interview
• Set Up the Recorder
• Keep the Interview on Track.
• Listen Carefully.
• Do not Overstay Your Welcome
After the Interview
• Although the interview is done, the interviewing process is not.
Youmust now review and transcribe your notes
review Your Notes as Soon as Possible
• when you leave the athletic director’soffice, the interview is
fresh in your mind. You know what the cryptic commentsand
scrawls in your notes mean.
Transcribe Your Notes
• Once you settle on the most important ideas andinformation
from the interview, you should transcribe that material, so it is in
thesame format as the rest of your research notes
TIPS FOR DOING RESEARCH
• Start Early
• Make a Preliminary Bibliography.
• Take Notes Efficiently
• Take Plenty of Notes
• Record Notes in a Consistent Format.
• Make a Separate Entry for Each Note.
• Distinguish Among Direct Quotations, Paraphrases, and Your
Own Ideas
GENERALIZATION