Conducting the Interview
Think about possible answers to the questions you ask. Coming up with and evaluating your own answers allows you to prepare for the responses your interviewee might give. Can you come up with answers based on the information you have already received? If not, consider asking a new question because the information you've received has not yet met the goal and objectives of your interview.
As responses are given during the interview, apply your note taking skills (see the iStudy tutorial on Note-Taking). Be sure to record the responses received and revise your question list based on the responses. As the person is speaking, use his or her responses as a guide for developing additional questions. Respond mentally to each statement by putting the statement in the form of a question, using the various levels of critical thinking questions you have learned (i.e. "What? How? When? Where? and Why?").
Repeat the cycle of acquiring, understanding, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information until you are satisfied with the results.
Remember to:
- Actively consider the information provided during the interview. Develop more questions by using your critical thinking skills.
- Reflect on and paraphrase the information given to you during the interview back to the interviewee.
- At the end of the interview you should summarize the main ideas, supporting ideas, and any examples presented.
