Interviewer and interviewing techniques data collection ethics dos and don'ts - by Nyeapa Yakubu

1. Qualities of an Interviewer & Interviewing
Techniques/Ethics
Presented
By: (Nyeapa Yakubu)

2. Learning Objectives
 To ensure that participants understand the
qualities they should possess during data
collection, interviewing and how to approach
respondants/community during
assessment/survey’s

3. What is an Interview
 Interview is a conversation where questions are
asked and answers are given.
 OR
 A conversation Between two or more People (i.e the
interviewer and the respondent), where questions
are asked so as to obtain information from the
respondent

4. Qualities of a good Interviewer
 Well prepared
 Unhurried
 Confident
 Observant
 Friendly
 A good time keeper
 Self control
 Honest

5. interviewing Techniques
 Neutrality
 Avoid communicating your own opinions with the
respondent
 Don’t judge the respondents answer
 Never interview friends, relatives and neighbors .
 Keep good interactions with the respondents.

6. Confidentiality
 Keep what you learn during an interview strictly
and confidential
 Avoid discussing the survey in a public setting
where your conversation is overheard
 Read confidentiality assurance provident to the
respondent

7. Gaining Cooperation
 Introduce yourself to the respondent
in a good manner
 Show you ID to the respondent
 Be confident and positive to the
respondent
 Feel free with the respondent.

8. Reading Questions
 Read exactly what is written in questionnaire
 Read slowly and clearly
 Read the entire questions
 Emphasize word that are in bold or underline

9. Art of Probing
 Pay more attention and interest to the respondent
 Encourage the respondent to get more information
and allow them to finished one questions at a time
 When the respondent is giving irrelevant
information try and make them understand the
question well so as to get the correct information.

10. Ending the Interview
 Check the questionnaire to make sure it is
complete and if any question is skipped follow
up with respondent to get the right information
 Thank the responded and tell her/him or them
for they time and are so grateful for they
cooperation.

11. Tips (do’s and don’ts)
 Organize the interview in a place the interview will not be distracted
 Don’t conduct interview in the persons of others (make it one on
one)
 Be neutral throughout the interview
 Never suggest answers to the respondent and avoid guiding
questions
 Do not change the wording or sequence of questions
 Be patient with hesitant respondents
 Do not form expectations
 Do not hurry the interview

12. Points to remember:
 Practice -- prepare a list of interview questions in
advance. Rehearse, try lines, mock-interview friends.
Memorize your questions. Plan ahead the location and
ways to make the ambient more comfortable.
 Small-talk -- never begin an interview cold. Try to put
your interviewee at ease and establish rapport.
 Be natural -- even if you rehearsed your interview
time and time again and have all your questions
memorized, make it sound and feel like you're coming
up with them right there.

13. Points to Remember cont.
 Look sharp -- dress appropriately to the ambient
you're in and to the kind of person you're interviewing.
 Listen -- present yourself aware and interested. If your
interviewee says something funny, smile. If it's
something sad, look sad. React to what you hear.

14. Points to Remember: cont.
 Keep your goals in mind -- remember that what you
want is to obtain information. Keep the interview on
track, don't digress too much. Keep the conversation
focused on your questions. Be considerate of your
interviewee's limited time.
 Don't take "yes/no" answers -- monosyllabic
answers don't offer much information. Ask for an
elaboration, probe, ask why. Silence may also yield
information. Ask the interviewee to clarify anything
you do not understand
 Respect -- make interviewees feel like their answers
are very important to you (they are supposed to be!)
and be respectful for the time they're donating to help
you

15. Points to Remember cont,,,,
 Silence may also yield information. Ask the interviewee
to clarify anything you do not understand
 Respect -- make interviewees feel like their answers
are very important to you (they are supposed to be!)
and be respectful for the time they're donating to help
you

16. Community Engagement
 Old and New site
 New site
 Talk to community leaders on object