“Thank you for agreeing to fill out our evaluation survey” Interviewing “Thank you for agreeing to fill out our evaluation survey”

Interviewing We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data

Role of the Interviewer Introduce participants to the task Make participants comfortable with You The setting The task Orient participants You are independent of Sunday Friends This is an evaluation that can help to improve things Ask whether they have any questions Give Directions Emphasizing We want their honest opinion There are no right or wrong answers They may skip any question that is too difficult

Role of the Interviewer Assist participant in filling out questionnaire Read questions Fill in answers Clarify terms when needed Take and properly store the questionnaire Provide Tickets

Interviewing We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data

Interviewer Characteristics Good interviewer skills: Makes folks comfortable Appears comfortable him or herself Appears professional (including attire) Articulate questioner, speaks clearly Attentive listener, appear interested Is friendly and polite Sensitive, empathetic, reflective (but not insertive) Can motivate

Interviewer Characteristics Characteristics that can create bias Gender Age Religion Race Native language Social class Education level Behavior Mannerisms Appearance Voice Try to reflect common ground with participant

Interviewing We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data

Conducting the Interview The prime directive: Avoid creating bias (making answers different from the truth) Read questions as worded Make sure that answers fit response choices Make sure that “check one” or “check all” are adhered to

Conducting the Interview Ensure that questions are applicable to the respondent—skip them if they are not Skip questions when respondent cannot remember or is disinterested in remembering facts Do not rush respondents

Conducting the Interview Ask questions from a distance that is close, but not intimate Keep participant motivated The research is important You are interested in their answers Prevent “researcher demand” or allowing participants to think they could please you with particular answers

Conducting the Interview Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Define words consistently Use inflection in ways that denotes the same meanings for each person (You will receive definitions to familiarize yourself with)

Conducting the Interview Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Provide neutral explanations Example: Question: How would you rate your child’s school –excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? Answer: Well, it depends on what you mean: My child is in the second grade, I like her teacher but I really don’t think they are doing very much with math and reading. On the other hand, she is happy, she likes recess and playing. Interviewer: That is a very legitimate point. The question does not suggest that you focus on any one thing. In this case, you should take into account whatever it is that you think the question implies and give me the answer that is closest to what you think.

Conducting the Interview Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Provide neutral explanations Example: Question: What do you think is the biggest problem our government faces? Answer: The state or the federal government? Interviewer: That is a good point. I don’t think that this has been specified so please answer the question how you think is the best way. Question: Has your child been an inpatient at CHB in the past month? Answer: What do you mean by inpatient? 1: Interviewer: By inpatient we mean a patient that stayed at least one night at the hospital before going home. 2: Interviewer: Whatever it means to you.

Conducting the Interview Respondents must understand the questions the same way. Provide neutral explanations Example: Use feedback phrases such: I see. Uhuh. Thanks. Thank you.

Conducting the Interview Ideal Settings for interviews-adapt to our circumstances as best as possible. privacy no distractions, easy to hear comfortable nonthreatening easily accessible for respondents prevent telephone and visitor interruptions seating arrangement should encourage interaction and engagement

Interviewing We will cover: The role of the interviewer Interviewer Characteristics Conducting the interview Record data

Record Data Write numbers or mark answers clearly Write clearly Pay attention to “check all” or “check one” Clearly mark skipped items as missing-data entry persons should not be left to guess