Step 5 Training Session:Interview Techniques

Questions

Generate useful information Focus on reasons or motives Invite unanticipated findings Non-threatening

Avoid

Subtly leadingWhat do you like about?

Double barreledWhat do you like and dislike?

Laden terms Difficult to answer Make people feel bad

Effectiveness

Setting and atmosphere Informant or Respondent Interview guide Interviewer

CharacteristicsSkills

Physical Setting

Private Comfortable Few physical barriers Level of heads equal Ability to take notes Tape player in non-intrusive

place, facing so can watch tape

Atmosphere

Friendly Respectful

Attentive listeningCuriosityConfident

Informant

Knowledgeable about topic of interest

Willing to share Articulate Comfortable with task and

setting

Taking Notes

As validation of research role Aid to memory during interview Key words for constructing

interviews Recording non-verbal cues and

impressions Confidentiality

Informed Consent Issues

Make explicit Length of time Benefits Nature and likelihood of risks

Assurance of confidentiality Who has access and for what purposes

Interview Guide

Introduction Key questions Closing

Introduction

Explain who we are Explain purpose Explain procedures Explain and give opportunity to

sign consent forms Express interest in hearing

different points of view

Closing

Opportunity to clarify Last minute thoughts Express appreciation

Order of Questions

Least to most threatening Tunnel vs. Funnel General questions before

specific questions Positive questions before

negative questions Uncued questions before cued

questions Flexibility

Guiding Discussion

Conversational Flexible: able to think on feet Stay focused Neutral

Listening

Listens intelligently Enthusiasm for the topic Genuine interest in what subject

has to say Responds to non-verbal cues Totally focused at all times Can handle contradictory

information with sensitivity

Other Skills

Non-judgmental Compassionate Puts participants comfort first Willing to share feelings when

appropriateDo not talk unnecessarilyDo not share information that would

bias Handles distractions well

Listening

Attending: verbal and non-verbal signs that you are paying full attention.

Encouraging responses: to indicate you are listening and encourage respondents to continue talking.

Internal Dialogue

What else do I need to ask to understand what this person means?

Am I hearing everything I need to know to understand the answer to the research problem? What else should I ask?

How much time do I have left?

Redirecting Discussion

Let's move on That brings up a related issue.. Let me ask that we hold this

discussion for a few moments so that I can ask....

We only have a little time left, so…

Probing

What does this mean anyway? What does this suggest we can

do to solve the problem/realize the project's goals?

How do I get beyond the intellectualizing to feelings?

The Silent Probe

5 seconds while maintaining eye contact

To clarify or illuminate clarify or illuminate

Paralanguage

Umms Uh-huhs Grunts Tone of voice is always

important

Elaborating

"Could you tell me more about that?"

"Could you tell me more about your thinking on that?"

"You started to say something about ...."

"Is there anything else?" "How do you mean?“

Specifying

What specifically about _____ makes you feel that way?

What else do you think about _________?

What other reasons do you have for feeling that way?

What else do you think about that?

I'd like to know more about your thinking on that issue.

Laddering Techniques Ask series of questions to get

more specific comments and uncover root cause or meaningIn what way is it good?What does that mean to you?How does that make you feel?

Be Careful Not to Lead

Ask for Specific Examples "I see, well, could you give me

an example?" “Can you give me a description

of….” “How might someone do that?” “What are some specific

examples of ______________?" "Would you give me an example

of what you mean?"

Clarifying

"I don't understand." "I'm not sure I understand how

you are using the word ______." "I'm a bit confused, could you try

again to explain what ____." "Could you explain what you

mean by _____."

Encouraging

To reassure them and encourage them to continue

Uh-huh Yes..Yes I see

Repeating Whenever there is confusion,

may begin by repeating question May rephrase if use parallel

question form “Let me repeat the question…

(repeat it) “Well, in your opinion…(repeat

it) “Well, all things considered…

(repeat it) “So, the message you want me

to get from that story is…”

Practice Session

Break into triads Give feedback to each

other Focus on Probing