Intro into Interviewing

Question 1

What is an in depth interview?

Answer 1

• A specialised COMMUNICATION PATTERN that has a specific reason for interviewing INITIATING AN INTERACTION and has a SPECIFIC CONTENT areas to be explored.
• A serious conversation between someone with SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE or expertise and SOMEONE WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM THE EXPERTISE
• A way of GAINING INFORMATION and understanding from individuals on a FOCUSED TOPIC

Question 2

What are the degrees of structure in qualitative interviews?

Answer 2

Highly structured: Same series of questions. Want simple short direct responses
Semi-structured: asked a certain set of questions to focus the interview. More flexible
Low/open-ended structure: particular topic in mind, allows the conversation to go wherever

Question 3

What are considerations for cunducting an in-depth interview?

Answer 3

The interviewer's attitudes
The interviewer's communication skills
Different types of questions
Listening to understand
Role of silence
Checking for understanding

Question 4

What are the interviewers attitudes?

Answer 4

Main goal = to be non-judgmental and to strive for objectivity in the process

• Self awareness: How do my beliefs effect the interview process? How will you respond to their response?
• Cultural awareness: Can you view the response through the lens that they see the world?

Question 5

What are the interviewer’s verbal communication skills?

Answer 5

Main goal = language that is comfortable for the participant
Clarity - questions are focused
Level of understanding - avoid filler words
Tone - respectful and age appropriate
Pace - check in with them
Loudness - volume

Question 6

What are the interviewer’s non-verbal communication skills?

Answer 6

Main goal = to be aware of the impact of body language of both yourself and interviewee

• eye contact
• posture
• smile
• hand gestures
• breath/sighs
• head nod/shakes

Question 7

What are different types of questions in interviews?

Answer 7

Main goal = open-ended questions
- cannot respond in one or two words
- how/which/what
-please tell me about…
-Avoid why because it sounds pointed
Close-ended questions - for clarification
- very direct
-used as prompts
-avoid using them up-front or all at once
Acquiescence - agreeing to any statement you are saying because they are disengaged

Question 8

What are some things to look out for when coming up with different questions?

Answer 8

Priming the participant to answer a certain way
-leading questions affect children and people with intellectual impairments or people not totally educated on the topic
Linked statements (association principle)
Asking for agreement

Question 9

What is listening to understand?

Answer 9

Main goal = to make listening an active task
receive the message is most important
- not interrupting or inserting own thoughts
- not trying to assess
- not generating the next question
Let the participant know their message has been received
- avoid false reassurance

Question 10

What is the role of silence?

Answer 10

Main goal = to accept acknowledge adn understnad periods of silence as part of the interview

Question 11

What are the different meanigs of silence?

Answer 11

Reflection or thinking time
Dealing with powerful emotion
Natural end of topic

Question 12

How do you respond to the silence?

Answer 12

Just wait
State what you think the silence means
There are time when you should break the silence - like when they say something and silence shows you agree or to move onto the next topic

Question 13

What is checking for understanding?

Answer 13

Main goal= you are receiving the correct message
The use of reflections - restate/phrase
Clarify a message - pull out different ideas
Use prompts - verbal or non-verbal