When does an interview become a conversation
Obtaining the “right” information from any source is a difficult task. But, trying to obtain that information from a human being, on the spot, in a short period of time, is a skill in itself. Interviews come with a multitude of baggage that can be hard to navigate.
As discussed in one of our course workshops for our media ethnography class, it is very helpful to go into your interview with a question bank. A question bank is a preconceived collection of 10–15 questions that you believe you can use to help guide your interview, so as to give you the most pertinent information from your subject.
No matter your previous knowledge of your interviewee you must begin with some background questions so as to gain a deeper understanding of how that subject fits into the larger scheme of your venture. This will build a rapport between you and that person and allow the more complex questions and answers later in the interview to have context.
But, as that seems a simple task to undertake, the process of your interview often does not follow these simple guidelines. As we have discussed increasingly over the past few weeks, we are all very interested in our project and the ramifications of our findings. For this reason the interview can take a turn in another direction.
As you go about asking your questions, the interview have a tendency to morph from a formal discussion, solely following your organized path, to something completely different. The interview becomes more of a personal interaction where you and the interviewee are locked in a conversation of tangible depth. Ethnographic research involves understanding individuals on a level that would never result from just simply asking generic questions. You must break down those barriers of communication, and create an atmosphere where your subject unconsciously allows themselves to feel comfortable enough to divulge extensive information. When I say that I do not mean, in any sense, jeopardizing your interviewee or using information they provide to characterize them in a negative way. What I do mean is, the less mechanical an interview is the more authentic answers you will receive.
A major component of this transition from structured to free flowing is the acceptance of alteration from your desired path for the interview. Of course, when you go to an interview you should have your question bank and have some desired information in mind. But, as the interview transpires you must be willing to change course and allow the interview to go where it may go. This also means that as the conversation progresses you may even have new and different questions come to mind that you want to ask. They might not be able to be asked on the spot because you were not able to articulate them quick enough. But, there can be follow ups with that same subject down the road. As well as, using these newly crafted questions in interviews with other subjects.
As you do further interviews you must be receptive to change and allow your newly crafted questions to become part of the process. Remaining stagnant in your questioning, methodology, or implementation is a major inhibitor of your research. As the semester has progressed almost all members of the class have noticed that their preconceived notions did not hold true very long. Spontaneity in this type of work is key to gaining the most insight about not just your subjects but the project as a whole.
Interviews must not be a straight line of processes, it has to constantly change and mold to your subjects and their insight.
