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The Expert Approach: Developed by Shoney Flores

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This document provides guidance on conducting primary research interviews for an English 1302 course. It discusses that interviews are an important part of good research to obtain first-hand evidence beyond just published sources. When deciding who to interview, students should consider who would be the most useful and qualified based on their expertise in the research topic. The document then lists questions students should ask themselves upfront to plan their interview strategy, including what they want to learn, who to interview, how to gain access, potential biases, and expectations. Finally, it provides tips for a successful interview, such as using open-ended questions, bringing backup recording devices, following interesting discussion topics, and being respectful of interview subjects.

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The Expert Approach: Developed by Shoney Flores

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Shoney Flores
18 views2 pages
This document provides guidance on conducting primary research interviews for an English 1302 course. It discusses that interviews are an important part of good research to obtain first-hand evidence beyond just published sources. When deciding who to interview, students should consider who would be the most useful and qualified based on their expertise in the research topic. The document then lists questions students should ask themselves upfront to plan their interview strategy, including what they want to learn, who to interview, how to gain access, potential biases, and expectations. Finally, it provides tips for a successful interview, such as using open-ended questions, bringing backup recording devices, following interesting discussion topics, and being respectful of interview subjects.

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This document provides guidance on conducting primary research interviews for an English 1302 course. It discusses that interviews are an important part of good research to obtain first-hand evidence beyond just published sources. When deciding who to interview, students should consider who would be the most useful and qualified based on their expertise in the research topic. The document then lists questions students should ask themselves upfront to plan their interview strategy, including what they want to learn, who to interview, how to gain access, potential biases, and expectations. Finally, it provides tips for a successful interview, such as using open-ended questions, bringing backup recording devices, following interesting discussion topics, and being respectful of interview subjects.

Copyright:

© All Rights Reserved
Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
18 views2 pages

The Expert Approach: Developed by Shoney Flores

Uploaded by

Shoney Flores
This document provides guidance on conducting primary research interviews for an English 1302 course. It discusses that interviews are an important part of good research to obtain first-hand evidence beyond just published sources. When deciding who to interview, students should consider who would be the most useful and qualified based on their expertise in the research topic. The document then lists questions students should ask themselves upfront to plan their interview strategy, including what they want to learn, who to interview, how to gain access, potential biases, and expectations. Finally, it provides tips for a successful interview, such as using open-ended questions, bringing backup recording devices, following interesting discussion topics, and being respectful of interview subjects.

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ENGLISH 1302: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH STUDIES

PRIMARY RESEARCH: INTERVIEW

The Expert Approach


Developed by Shoney Flores

The media no longer ask those who know something to share that knowledge with the
public. Instead they ask those who know nothing to represent the ignorance of the public
and, in so doing, to legitimate it. —Serge Daney

Introduction
When we’ve conducted research in the past, we’ve always thought that it only consists of looking
up published sources and using them to shape our arguments and opinions. However, good
research goes beyond that. A good researcher becomes engaged in what he’s doing, and the best
approach to do that is to conduct a form of primary research—to get your evidence first hand.

When we talk about interviews and consider doing them, we often wonder on what makes an
expert and expert. We’ve talked about how everyone’s opinion is important, and everyone has
something useful to share. However, if you’re researching on the psychological effects of divorce,
for instance, you have to ask yourself who would supply you with more useful information. You
can interview someone that’s been divorced or someone whose parents are divorced, but would
that necessarily making them experts on your subject compared to a psychologist or Psychology
professor who has spent years studying how the mind works? Maybe. Maybe not. You have to
weigh those chances and decide what’s best for your research.

Where do you start?


You should consider the following questions before deciding anything else:
1. What do I want to discover? What kind of information am I looking for?
2. Who am I going to interview? Why are they the best choice? (It’s important to answer this
question because it’s important to always have a direction and purpose. For example, if you’re
researching the latest craze on the Internet, would you want to interview someone who’s very
old?)
3. How am I going to be able to gain access to this person or these persons (if interviewing more
than one)? (Electronically, appointment, infiltrate their homes, tie them to a chair and force
them to answer your questions?)
4.What are my biases about this topic? (They obviously exist; write them down.) A bias is a pre-
existing opinion on a topic that will get in the way of you being fair in how you conduct your
research. For example: You’re researching why men suck, and you’re a woman. That’s a bias.
5. How can I make sure my biases are not reflected in my research methods?

PAGE 1 OF 2

SEMESTER: SPRING 2011
ENGLISH 1302: INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH STUDIES

PRIMARY RESEARCH: INTERVIEW

6.What do I expect to discover?

What’s Hot and What’s Not


When conducting interviews:
• It’s hot to be careful of the types of questions you ask. Do you want open-ended questions
(which allow your subject to elaborate with response) or closed questions (which are quick,
yes or no, 1-10, etc.)?
• It’s hot to start the interview with some small talk to give both yourself, and the person you
are interviewing, a chance to get comfortable.
• It’s hot to bring redundant recording equipment (especially now that’s it’s so easy and cheap.
You can probably even turn on your mic on your laptop.) That way if something happens to
one of your recording devices, you have a back up. You don’t want to do the same interview
all over again.
• It’s hot to pay attention to what is being said during the interview and follow up responses
that sound interesting. While you should have a list of questions already, it’s okay to sidetrack
if you’re researching gun control and your subject says something like “They’re also good to
protect yourself from illegals.” It’s something you might want to delve into, even if you’re
against gun control.
• It’s hot to come to the interview prepared. You should learn as much as you can about the
person you are going to interview before the interview takes place so that you can tailor your
questions to them.
• It’s NOT to pester or push the person you’re interviewing. If he or she does not want to talk
about an issue, you should respect that desire and move on. If you’re researching murder, for
example, don’t ask the regretful murder, “Seriously, tell me. How did it feel?”
• It’s NOT to stick to your questions rigidly. If an interesting subject comes up that relates to
your research, feel free to ask additional questions about it (see gun control comment above)
or schedule a follow-up interview.
• It’s NOT to allow your subject to continually get off-topic. If the conversation drifts, ask
follow-up questions to redirect the conversation to the topic at hand.

The Meat and Potatoes


Even if you’re not going to interview someone for your primary research (and thought it more
appropriate to conduct a survey or study instead), you will still be responsible for designing an
interview and come up with interview questions to bring to class. You will more than likely be
given the opportunity to have a mock interview with someone in class so that we may continue
this discussion on what makes an interview successful.

PAGE 2 OF 2

SEMESTER: SPRING 2011

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