Chapter 5The Probing

Interview

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Chapter Summary

Preparing the Interview Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers Conducting the Interview Preparing the Report or Story The Interviewee in the

Probing Interview Summary

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Preparing the Interview

Determining the Purpose

• Your purpose controls how you prepare and what you do in probing interviews.

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Preparing the Interview

Researching the Topic The Internet and databases are becoming

essential resources for interviews. Paying attention to omissions, dates, and interim

events may help to focus your purpose. Evidence of research impresses interviewees.

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Preparing the Interview

Structuring the Interview: Interview Guide Plan a structural sequence but remain flexible.

Who was involved? What happened? When did it happen? Where did it happen? How did it happen? Why did it happen?

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Preparing the Interview

Structuring the Interview: The Opening A solid opening is essential in motivating an

interviewee. Know what “off the record” means to both parties.

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Preparing the Interview

Structuring the Interview: Body A moderate schedule is a useful tool for long

interviews. The moderate schedule allows the flexibility to

delete questions and create new ones.

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Preparing the Interview

Structuring the Interview: Closing Abide by time limits. Involve the interviewee actively in the closing.

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Selecting Interviewees: Level of Information• Make sure your interviewee possesses the

information you need.

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Selecting Interviewees: Availability• Do not assume a potential interviewee is

unavailable; ask first.

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Selecting Interviewees: Willingness Fear of what may be revealed in an interview

might make participants reluctant. Resort to arm-twisting as a last resort.

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Selecting Interviewees: Ability Many potential interviewees are willing but unable to

participate for several reasons: Faulty memory. Poor health. State of shock. Inability to express or communicate ideas. Proneness to exaggeration or oversimplification. Unconscious repression or distortion of information. Biases or prejudices. Habitual lying.

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Selecting Interviewers An interviewer should be:

Friendly Courteous Organized A keen observer A good listener Patient Persistent Skillful at asking probing questions

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Selecting Interviewers: Status Status difference and similarity affect motivation,

freedom to respond, control, and rapport. Status is a critical criterion for some interviewees.

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Selecting Interviewees and Interviewers

Relationship of Interviewer and Interviewee Be aware of the relational history of the parties. Be aware of perceived similarities and differences

of both parties.

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Conducting the Interview

Motivating Interviewees Know what motivates each interviewee. Trust is essential for probing interviews.

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Conducting the Interview

Asking Questions: Ask Open-Ended Questions Use the number of questions necessary to get the

job done. Listening is as important as asking. Make the interviewee the star of the show. Be an active listener, not a passive sponge. Know what you are doing and why. Think before asking.

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Conducting the Interview

Note Taking and Tape Recording: Note Taking Weigh carefully the pros and cons of note taking

prior to the interview. Note taking should not threaten the interviewee.

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Conducting the Interview

Note Taking and Tape Recording: Tape Recording Three advantages of tape recording:

Enables you to relax and concentrate on the interviewee.

You can hear or watch what was said at a later time without having to rely on memory.

A recording may pick-up answers that may have been inaudible at the time.

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Conducting the Interview

Note Taking and Tape Recording: Tape Recording Three disadvantages of tape recording:

Tape recorders can malfunction or create technical interruptions.

Some people view recorders as an intrusion. Tapes provide permanent, undeniable records that

may threaten some interviewees.

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Conducting the Interview

Handling Difficult Situations A Sanitized versus a Real Setting

You may need to feel and experience before you can ask meaningful questions.

Use good sense and good judgment in probing interviews.

In unsanitized situations, prepare for human suffering and risks.

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Conducting the Interview

Handling Difficult Situations The Press Conference or Group Interview

The interviewee usually controls the press conference.

Your relationship with the interviewee is critical at a press conference.

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Conducting the Interview

Handling Difficult Situations The Broadcast Interview

Being familiar with the physical setting may avoid surprises.

Spontaneous questions generate spontaneous answers.

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Conducting the Interview

Handling Difficult Interviewees The seven common types of interviewees

are: Emotional Interviewees Hostile Interviewees Reticent Interviewees Talkative Interviewees Evasive Interviewees Confused Interviewees Dissimilar Interviewees

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Preparing the Report or Story

Make it a habit to check all sources. Be honest, accurate, and fair in reporting

interview results.

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The Interviewee and the Probing Interview

Doing Homework Get to know the interviewer as well as the

interviewer knows you. Who is the interviewer? Who does the person represent? How long will the interview take? What information does the person want? How will the information be used?

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The Interviewee and the Probing Interview

Understanding the Relationship Appreciate the impact of upward and downward

communication in interviews. Understand the relationship prior to the interview.

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The Interviewee and the Probing Interview

Awareness of the Situation Assess the many situational variables that will

impact the interview. Consider establishing ground rules such as time,

place, length, which topics are off-limits, and the identity of the interviewer.

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The Interviewee and the Probing Interview

Anticipating Questions Be as prepared to answer as the interviewer is

prepared to ask. Rehearsing possible questions and answers is a

common preparatory technique.

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The Interviewee and the Probing Interview

Listening to Questions Listen and think before answering Be patient. Focus attention on the question of the moment. Concentrate on both the interviewer and the

question. Do not dismiss a question too quickly as irrelevant

or stupid.

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The Interviewee and the Probing Interview

Answering Strategically Avoid defensiveness. Share control of the interview. Explain what you are doing and why. Take advantage of question pitfalls. Support your answers. Use analogies and metaphors to explain unknown

or complicated things. Organize long answers like mini-speeches.

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Summary

The probing interview is the most common type of interview.

This chapter has presented guidelines for structured probing interviews that call for thorough preparation and flexibility.

Interviewees need not be passive participants.