Introduction to
Interviewing Techniques
Materials Developed by
The IRIS Center at the University of Maryland
1a
PARTS OF AN INTERVIEW
INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES
INTRODUCTION:
 Identify yourself, survey sponsor
 Explain purpose, what info is sought and
how it will be used
 Verify it is the right person
 Stress confidentiality, voluntary participation,
and that respondent may ask questions
 Ask permission to proceed
2
PARTS OF AN INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW:
 Ask question exactly as written
 Listen/determine relevant info
 Record answers in correct place
 Probe to increase accuracy/ clarity &
completeness
 Avoid unnecessary reinforcement: “oh,
that’s very good!”
 Never suggest an answer (otherwise
called prompting)
3
INTERVIEWING TIPS
Show interest. (use words such as:
“uhm-mmm”, “I see”, “yes”, tell the
client that she has been heard)
Pause. Silence tells her you are waiting
to hear more
Repeat the question. (To help
client if she did not understand or strayed
from the question)
Repeat the reply. To stimulate client
to say more, or recognize the inaccuracy.
4
INTERVIEWER SKILLS
Be very familiar with the survey questions and
their flow to project a confident, self-assured
manner
Read the questions exactly as written
Probe when multiple answers are possible or
initial responses are unclear
Record responses completely and properly
5
DO NOT
Get involved in long explanations of the
study such as trying to explain sampling
Deviate from the study introduction, sequence
of questions, or question wording
Try to justify or defend what you are doing.
Suggest an answer or agree or disagree with
an answer
6
DO NOT
 Rush the respondent
 Patronize respondents
 Dominate the interview
 Prompt the respondent for specific answers
 Let another person answer for the sampled
respondent
 Interview someone you know
 Falsify interviews
 Improvise
7
PARTS OF AN INTERVIEW
ENDING THE INTERVIEW:
 Thank client. Tell that it is important/helpful
info to program
 Answer any of client’s questions - about
interview or content of survey
POST INTERVIEW:
 Proofread completed questionnaire, find &
correct errors. Fill in household roster
questions. Clarify writing and add any
clarifying notes.
8