Research and Citation

• ask open ended questions
• avoid questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no"
• don’t ask multiple choice questions
• don’t fish (= give the answer you want in the question)
• be prepared to change the direction of your questioning: insert follow-up
• repeat back what you've heard for clarification or more detail
• be brave!

Snow, Shane. "The One Conversational Tool That Will Make You Better at Absolutely Everything." Lifehacker. Lifehacker, 20 Dec. 2012. Web. 30 Jan. 2013.

• Confirm time and place
• Dress nicely
• Bring paper, writing utensil and recording device (optional)
Even if you are counting on using a recording device, bring backup. 

Take notes by pen/pencil and paper as your primary memory helper for what your interviewee says.

Use your phone recording app as a backup only. 

• Test your recording device. Download Just Press Record if you choose (and have permission).

• Make sure your phone is fully charged.

• Make sure you have enough data space to store the file when it is finished. (Thanks, Margot Herried!)

• Voice Recorder is a recommended, free app. Evernote will also record voice notes well. VoiceMemos on iPhone will not work for a long interview.

• Whatever app you use, test it before your interview.

• And make sure that the app actually started recording. At the end, pay attention to which button you are clicking! 

• Introduce yourself
• Thank the interviewee
• Greet them and ask them how they are. Treat them as a person, not just a subject.
• If applicable, ask if you may record the interview
• Briefly recap your project and overarching question
• State your goal for your time together
• Ask the questions you wrote, following up where appropriate

• Thank them for their time.
• Ask if there is anything else they would like to add.
• Graciously depart with all of your belongings.

Immediately after

• Sit down and review your jottings, clarifying and elaborating
• Send a thank you email

That Evening 

• Listen to the recording
• Take notes from the interview categorized according to your subquestions (not by your interview questions!)