Observations and Interviews

Observations and Interviews

Interviews
•Who is your interviewee?
•Design the interview protocol.
•Where will the interview take place?
•Wording of the Questions - No leading or biasing questions; open-ended; clear & understandable, unambiguous, not double-barrelled, no two-part questions, no double negatives; ask in a respectful way
•Memorize the questions.
•Obtain consent before starting.
•Demonstrate Respect. - For individual, culture, community, etc.
•Develop rapport
•Stick to protocol as much as possible
•Record comments faithfully.
•Use recorder or videotape if possible.

Interview Types
Structured or Semi-Structured
“Verbal questionnaires”More Formal
Specific protocol prepared in advance
Designed to elicit specific information
Informal Interviews
More informal, more like a conversationStill involve planning
Move from non-threatening to threatening questionsDesigned to determine more general views of respondent

Types of Interview Questions
Demographic Questions
Knowledge Questions
Experience or Behavior Questions
Opinion/Value/Feeling Questions
Sensory Questions

Interview Questioning Tips
Ask questions in different ways
Ask for clarification
Vary control of flow of information
Avoid leading questions
Ask one question at a time
Don’t interrupt

Observation Process
1. What is the research question?
2. Where is the observation taking place?.
3. Who, what, when, and how long?
4. What is the role of the observer?

4. What is the observer’s role?
•Participant Observation
Complete Participant - posing as part of the group being observed - participates just like every other person in the group
Participant-as-Observer - participates in all the group's activities except for a few differences (ie. participates in a class but doesn't turn in the assignments)
Non-Participant Observation -
Complete Observer - the observer is not involved in the group activities and is a complete outsider
Observer-as-Participant - everyone in the group knows that the person is not part of the group, but they participate to some degree - more of an outsider

Minimize Bias
Collecting Observation/Interview Data
•Note Taking Methods
Field Jottings - quick notes
Field Diary - more in-depth information
Field Log - a chronology of events that occur during the observational process
•Descriptive vs. Reflective Notes
Describe subjects, settings, events, activities, observer behaviors
Reflect on analysis, method, ethics, frame of mind, points of clarification
•Data Coding Schemes

Sample Field Notes Form
Research Question:
Date/Time:
Setting:
Descriptive Notes:
Reflective Notes:

Sample Interview Protocol
Research Question:
Time of Interview:Date:
Setting:Interviewer:
Interviewee:
Position of Interviewee (if relevant):
(Briefly describe project to interviewee and obtain consent.)
Sample Interview Questions:
1. What has been your role in the incident?
Interviewee’s Response:
Interviewer’s Reflective Comments:
2. What has happened since the event that you have been involved in?
Interviewee’s Response:
Interviewer’s Reflective Comments:
3. What has been the impact on the community of this incident?
Interviewee’s Response:
Interviewer’s Reflective Comments:
4. To whom should we talk to find out more information about the incident?
Interviewee’s Response:
Interviewer’s Reflective Comments:
(Thank individual for participating in this interview. Assure him/her of confidentiality of responses and potential future interviews.)

Quiz 7 –last question
As a class, come up with a focus topic for a one-question interview related to the use of technology in education.
Availability of technology in the workplace
Next, write the question. Make sure it is clear, unbiased, uses respectful terminology, etc., and that it gets at your focus topic.
How does the availability of technology influence your productivity?
For your answer to the last question on quiz 7, you should interview one person, and record both descriptive (transcript) and reflective notes for this interview.