1. Interviewing and Information Gathering in the Field: How to Prepare and What to Expect October 10, 2014

2. Espionage Journalism Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research Why We Interview

3. Espionage Journalism Legal/Criminal Investigation Social Science Research

4. Survey Interview – Questionnaire – Closed and Open Ended questions Semi-structured Interview – Topic guide Observation – List of objectives

5. "A common ingredient of the superb interview is a knowledge of the subject so thorough that it creates a kind of intimacy between the journalist and the interviewee." Director, Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism Tom Rosenstiel

6. Preparing for an Interview Background research – Previous interviews – Résumés and reports – Relevant issu es List of questions, pen, paper Copies of documents Prep recording device – Backup devices – Extra batteries

7. Getting Access Making initial contact – Telephone – In person Getting past gatekeepers Explaining the purpose of your research Gaining trust Knowing how much time is required Choosing a location and time Be confident

8. Getting Started Small talk to put your subject at ease Explain the purpose Address terms of confidentiality Getting informed consent Explain the format Audio/video-recording Opening questions should be easy and on topic

9. What A Poor Start Looks Like

10. Asking, Listening and Observing Engaged but neutral Eye contact Vocal tone “Guided” conversation Changing course Maintaining control

11. Asking, Listening and Observing Drawing out details/Probing – Repeating the response as a question – Silence – Stress generality/subjectivity – Zeroing in Observations Taking notes (don’t trust your memory) Observation vs. interpretation

12. Getting It Right Strive for accuracy Ask for correct spellings Don't pretend to know something that you don't Summarize for the subject in your own words some of his/her main points – "Let's see if I understand you. You mean...”

13. "I realized quite early in this adventure that interviews conventionally conducted were meaningless. The question-and- answer technique may be of value in determining a favored detergent, but not in the discovery of men and women. It was simply a case of making conversation and listening." Studs Terkel

14. Katie Couric

15. The Couric Method Being a gracious host – Body language – warm and welcoming – Adjusting your tone to the issue at hand Ask questions that don’t require a Yes or No answer How is this person likely to answer? – The trial attorney’s rule Knowing what they’ve said before and thinking “How can I go at this another way?” Importance of listening and reacting – Picking up on inconsistencies – Using questions as a template – Being ready to veer off in a totally different direction Remember who you are serving – Responsibility to your reader or sponsor

16. Working with Interpreters Interpreter/Guide is the first person you interview – Establish trust – Get a sense of his/her language skills – Interpreter must have a good understanding of your research objectives Speak directly to your subject, not to the translator – Pause and allow time to translate, but act as if the interpreter is not there More adviceadvice

17. Handling the Unexpected Change in setting Interruptions Equipment failure Grief Hostility Protecting your notes from loss or seizure – Pre-addressed Fed Ex mailers – Drop box/cloud services Personal danger – Move in pairs or groups – Trust your driver

18. After the Interview Debriefing Writing your field notes (don’t wait!) Audio recordings – Check equipment – Transfer audio files Your contact information (card) – Follow up Thank you letters/notes

19. Additional Resources USAID: Conducting Key Informant Interviews Conducting HUMINT operations Interviewing for Interorganizational Research Key Informant Interviews for Health Policy Research Key Informant Interviews for Health Policy Research