The Art of the Interview: Techniques and Strategies for Effective Communication
The Interview: A Qualitative Research Technique
Setting the Stage: The Interview Situation
While qualitative research design and in-depth interviews offer flexibility, thorough preparation is crucial. As Kvale emphasizes, “advance preparation is essential for the interaction and the outcome of the interview. A very important part of the investigation should have been done before turning on the recorder.” The interviewer must contextualize the situation for the interviewee, fostering a communicative process where the interviewee is the protagonist, free to express their interpretation of reality.
Flexibility and resourcefulness are key for the interviewer to navigate potential surprises. The initial moments of the interview are critical for establishing a positive rapport. The interviewer should consider their approach and how they will initiate the conversation. There are no universal rules; each interviewer will utilize different strategies based on their training, knowledge, and social skills. The ultimate goal is to build a strong relationship with the interviewee, fostering trust and open communication.
The interviewer must guide the conversation, encouraging the interviewee to speak freely while avoiding leading questions or imposing their own values. As Ibanez eloquently states, “The movement of the interviewer…is so delicate and problematic as that of a snail crawling along the edge of a razor.”
Mastering the Role: The Interviewer’s Responsibilities
With the groundwork laid, the interviewer employs tactics and strategies to facilitate a productive and meaningful conversation. They utilize everyday conversational techniques to build rapport, understand social cues, and encourage the interviewee to delve deeper into the topic at hand. The interviewer must skillfully navigate the conversation, probing, clarifying, and summarizing to ensure a rich and focused discussion.
Maintaining Balance in Communication
In any interaction, the exchange of messages shapes the process. It’s easy for the interviewer to over-participate, dominating the conversation with lengthy questions, personal opinions, or excessive agreement. This can inadvertently bias the interviewee’s responses and compromise the integrity of the data. Therefore, the interviewer must strive to maintain a balance, allowing the interviewee’s voice to be heard clearly and authentically.
Ethical Considerations: The Implicit Agreement
A tacit agreement exists between the researcher and the interviewee, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the shared information. This agreement ensures the interviewee’s anonymity and confidentiality, even if the interview is not part of a formal research study. The interviewer must clearly communicate the purpose of the interview, the use of the information, and any limitations on confidentiality. This transparency is crucial for maintaining ethical standards and building trust with the interviewee.
Key Takeaways for Effective Interviewing:
- Thorough preparation is essential.
- Flexibility and adaptability are crucial for navigating the complexities of the interview process.
- Building rapport and trust with the interviewee is paramount.
- The interviewer must guide the conversation while allowing the interviewee to be the protagonist.
- Ethical considerations, including confidentiality and anonymity, must be upheld throughout the process.