Week 3, Question 1

I do not have any personal experience in conducting research interviews, though from the reading and some television shows that I watch, it seems like they can be very interesting and productive.  Our text talks about the following in regards to such interviews.

1. Determining the purpose of the interview.  What this meant to me was to determine what information I would want to gain from the interview and also determine to what extent I wanted interviewees' perspective and input leaving room for the unknown as well.
2. Selecting the Interviewee (s).  To me this would be the process where I decided who would have the most valuable information which I needed to collect in regards to my topic and possibly other people in the field just for perspective if I needed it.
3. Developing Questions.  This topic, to me, was fascinating.  I watch a lot of Law and Order and CSI and I have worked in an investigative field for quite some time so I have seen an extensive amount of this put into play, just not me doing it :)  I love when they ask 'leading' or or suggestive questions and the interviewee doesn't even realize they are providing the information exactly as predicted.  I feel all the aspects of questioning (primary, secondary, neutral, and leading) are very important.  They all, in their own way, play a key part in the completion of a complex interview with a well rounded outcome.  A little bit of information from each category and you will usually have the appropriate information you needed and or wanted.
4. Organization of the Interview guide (questions).  This aspect is vital if you want your interview to be productive and organized.  Without this things would be very chaotic and you probably wouldn't leave with the information that you had wanted to obtain.  This is also where you develop your approach to the interviewee and your tone in which you want to use in the interview.
5. Conducting the Interview.  In this aspect you want to make sure you stick to the plan you have and in a very timely manner.  People hate nothing more that someone running late or keeping them longer than expected.  Everyone always has something to do other than sit and wait for you to get your 'stuff' together.
6. Integrating your interview material into your 'work' or project.  This is very important and needs to be done in an orderly fashion.  Chances are you will not be using the entire interview so you need to select the most pertinent and credible aspects.  This is the portion that will add the 'credibility' aspect to your presentation or project.  You also must ensure that you credit your source accurately and appropriately.