Conducting Interviews

H ere are some useful tips to follow when interviewing people.

Conduct interviews in-person or on the telephone.

If on the telephone, try to reach the interviewee during working hours and arrange for a mutually agreeable time for the interview.

 

Explain who you are and why you need an interview.

"I am [name] from [name] school. My science class is doing an investigation of __________. May I please talk with you for a few minutes?"

 

Be prepared.

Have your questions ready for the interview. Feel free to ask any other questions that come to you over the course of the interview.

 

Listen carefully.

Do not interrupt the interviewee. Ideally, the interviewee should do most of the talking.

 

Take notes as the interviewee speaks.

If you are going to audiotape the conversation, first ask the interviewee for permission.

 

Ask for clarification.

If something is said that you do not understand, ask for clarification. Ask interviewees to define any words that are special to their profession.

 

Thank your interviewee.

Ask interviewees if you may call them back with some follow-up questions.  Always thank interviewees for their time.