This document provides guidance on conducting an effective interview for field research. It outlines the key steps which include making initial contact with the interviewee, preparing questions in advance, meeting with the interviewee and taking thorough notes while being flexible, and following up after by thanking the interviewee and allowing them to review your notes for accuracy. Conducting successful interviews requires attention to each step of making contact, preparing, meeting, and following up. Additional resources for help with field research are provided.

1. Field Research: Conducting an Interview

2. How to Conduct an Interview Making contact with your interviewee Preparing for the interview Coming up with Questions Meeting with your interviewee Following up on your interview

3. Setting up the Interview Contact the potential interviewee in advance Be sure that you ask for the interview. This person is doing you a favor Arrange a specific time and place, and let the interviewee know how much time it will take Identify the topic that you will be discussing during the interview

4. Preparing for the interview Be sure to write out a list of questions in advance Find out whatever information you can about the person you’re interviewing Decide which questions are highest priority if time runs short Decide what your goals are for the interview

5. Coming up with Questions Ask yourself: “What is it that I need to know? Write down a list of things that you are hoping to find out Write a list of questions that you think will lead to these answers Check the questions carefully to see if the wording could be offensive to your interviewee

6. Meeting the Interviewee Always bring a stiff-backed notebook and several trustworthy writing instruments If you wish to tape-record your interview, always ask before doing so Keep notes on the interview, but make sure that you are still talking to the interviewee, not just scribbling

7. Meeting the Interviewee(cont.) Be sure that you come to the interview with a prepared list of questions (more than you think you’ll need!) Try to stick to the topic at hand, but be ready to be flexible if your interviewee brings up unexpected but valuable information.

8. Online Interviewing If you need to interview via email, don’t forget to ask permission for the interview Make sure that you establish the scope of the interview and the amount of time the interviewee is committing to. Remember that the same rules of courtesy still apply

9. Following up the Interview Always be sure to thank your interviewee, orally and in writing Once you have written up your results, let your interviewee see the results, in order to confirm that you’ve represented him/her accurately Write up your results soon after the interview while they’re fresh in your mind

10. Conducting an Interview Remember, conducting a successful interview involves attention to each of the following steps: Making contact Preparing for the interview Meeting the interviewee Following up on the interview

11. Where can you go for more help with field research? The Writing Lab Heavilon Hall Room 226 494-3723 http://owl.english.purdue.edu Or email [email_address] with brief questions.