Tips for Interviewing Techniques

Tips for Interviewing Techniques

Be clear about the purpose of the questions - what questions do you want it to answer. What are the issues in the groups you are contacting - there may be different reactions in different cultures to asking questions - who will people talk to?

The interview questions

  • These can be a set of questions or themes to follow through.
  • They can be open or closed.
  • Avoid leading questions - e.g. “Would you say that X organisation offered a high quality service?”
  • Test out the questions for meaning. Will they mean to others what they mean to you? Think about the sort of replies a question will generate - can you categorise them to make them quantitative? Saying them out loud can help.
  • Are there more ways than one of answering the question? Look critically at questions and get others to do the same.
  • Always pilot a questionnaire before you use it even if it is only one or two people - this always throws up the problems with the questions. Identify those questions which will not generate meaningful data.

Some guidelines for Interviewing- face to face and on the telephone

  1. Introduce yourself : (Carry an identification):
    • Explain the purpose of the interview (i.e. to find out their views about XYZ in order to help it develop further).
    • If you are phoning, ask if this is a convenient time, and agree another time if it is not.
    • Reassure that though you will be taking notes, what they say will remain anonymous and confidential. Only you will know who is the person making the comments and you guarantee that anything that could identify them will be taken out of the summaries.
    • Emphasise that we need their help and encourage them to speak openly. " We want to know what you really think!", "Warts and all!" .
    • Refusal to take a call can often happen at the beginning of a telephone interview- it is worth phoning back.
  2. Confidentiality:
    • If anonymity is promised, it must be respected- if you tell a colleague of the dreadful discussion you had with Stephan Miartus of the X organisation it soon gets back; but of course you can talk generally without identifying the person involved.
    • Offer them copies of your notes if they want them.
  3. The interview:
    • You are using the everyday skills you already have of making contact, getting people to speak and listening; only more planned, rigorous, and recorded! You may want to practice phoning or interviewing first with someone you know.
    • Try and check as you go along what you think you are hearing them saying. and probe further if they give you vague answers.
    • The main aim is to obtain information, not to offer your own views, though sometimes people want to know them. You need to be as encouraging/ neutral as possible, even if their views are not what you would wish. Do not let your tone betray your views. You can share your views at the end of the conversation, if you wish. It is always acceptable to offer information. Be sensitive to communication problems or fear of expressing views.
    • Do not forget posture, gesture, facial expressions if you are with them- you need to communicate warmth, interest, encouragement and caring- rather than coldness, disapproval and indifference.
  4. Recording:
    • You need to try and record people‘s words as far as possible- this kind of qualitative data is much more useful and real.
    • Keep writing as you talk, and if face to face keep as much eye contact as possible. If on the ‘phone then use encouraging/ listening noises or phrases.
  5. The end:
    • At the end thank them for their time, explain what happens next, how they can see the report etc, and affirm the confidentiality.
You can interview people face to face if you wish - you are likely to get more material, but it will take longer than a telephone interview.

Focus group meetings

  1. Focus groups are group interviews of 7-12 people with a relatively neutral moderator helping the group talk to each other:
    • They have been called a steered conversation. They usually last 45-75 minutes.
    • It helps to have a second moderator to observe and take notes, or to use a tape recorder with permission. Part of the moderator‘s task is to make sure that all participate, and that the conversation stays approximately on the topic.
    • It is quite a democratic method as people can take more control than in an individual interview.
    • The group can be pre- existing, or selected by you.
    • Do not forget refreshments and a comfortable room.
    • It is particularly useful for exploring views and attitudes, with the group process producing more often, than individual interviews, as people build on each others ideas or challenge them.
    • It is not a good method for discussing sensitive issues.
    • You are using the everyday skills many people already have- getting people to speak in a group and listening; only more planned, rigorous, and recorded!
  2. Suggestions for running groups:
    • Introduce yourself. Explain the purpose of the interview (i.e. to find out their views about XYZ in order to help it develop further).
    • Go around room - names/how did they get involved with XYZ...?
    • Emphasise that we need their help and encourage them to speak openly. " We want to know what you really think!", "Warts and all!" "I am here to learn from your experience - you are the experts here." "I want to hear as many different experiences and views as possible."
    • Reassure that though you will be taking notes, what they say will remain anonymous and confidential, and comments will not be attributed.
  3. The interview questions:
    • Usually you are exploring topics and interested in getting them to share their opinions and views, and tell us how they see the world - use the questions as conversation prompt.
    • Start with easy general questions to try and get their interest- leave specific and sensitive questions to the end.
    • Often the discussion will take off and your well prepared topic guide is not used!
    • Try and check as you go along what you think you are hearing them saying- especially if you are finishing off a long discussion on a single topic, ask‘ Am I hearing what you are saying correctly?‘
    • Probe if they give you vague answers.
    • If a lot of people are silent break into 2/3s and get them to feed back- or ask people direct questions.
    • The main aim is to obtain information, not to offer your own views, though sometimes people want to know them. You need to be as encouraging/ neutral as possible, even if their views are not what you would wish. Do not let your tone betray your views. You can share your views at the end of the conversation, if you wish. It is always acceptable to offer information. Be sensitive to communication problems or fear of expressing views.
    • Do not forget posture, gesture, facial expressions if you are with them- you need to communicate warmth, interest, encouragement and caring- rather than coldness, disapproval and indifference.
  4. Confidentiality:
    • If anonymity is promised, it must be respected- if you tell a colleague of the dreadful discussion you had with Stephan Miartus of the X organisation it soon gets back; but of course you can talk generally without identifying the person involved.
  5. Recording:
    • You need to try and record people‘s words as far as possible- this kind of qualitative data is much more useful and real.
    • Keep writing as you talk, and if face to face keep as much eye contact as possible.
  6. At the end
    • Thank them for their time, explain what happens next, and affirm the confidentiality.

Back to top