Guidelines for Integrating an Interview in a School Assignment
In the world of academia, students like Alexandria Herr are making strides in their research-based courses. One such method that can significantly enhance a project is the inclusion of an interview. Shanon FitzGerald, our Social Sciences Correspondent, delves into the benefits and best practices of this approach.
When incorporating an interview into a class project or research paper, it's crucial to design relevant questions, obtain permission to record or take notes, and analyze the responses in a way that supports your main research question. The key steps involve developing clear, open-ended questions, selecting relevant interviewees, gaining consent, transcribing and analyzing interview data, and integrating interview findings into your paper.
During the interview process, it's essential to avoid leading questions and maintain a balanced approach. Listening carefully to the interviewee, isolating quotes for presentation, and jotting down initial impressions and takeaways are all essential practices. If the interview is recorded, listening to it again with "fresh ears" can help in the analysis process.
Professor of History Alison Isenberg, in an interview featured in the blog post "Doing Research in a Pandemic," shared her experiences of a project that transformed her into a researcher. The project involved hands-on journalism and a world-renowned cathedral.
It's important to assess a project to determine if an interview is appropriate and feasible. If a project requires specific types of source material, it might be unnecessary to include an interview. In such cases, seeking guidance from a professor can be beneficial.
For those seeking additional interview tips, a recent blog post by Andrea offers valuable insights. The same rules for contacting faculty apply when reaching out to potential interviewees. Being patient yet persistent, keeping an open mind, and maintaining professionalism are key when selecting relevant interviewees.
The article can be found in the section "our blog News." Remember, interviews can be an essential part of certain types of research, such as ethnography, journalism, and oral history. They provide a depth and human perspective that strengthens a project or paper's argument and credibility.
Engaging in online education platforms can open up opportunities for learning about interview techniques and strategies, aiding students in academic projects and research papers. Incorporating interviews into a project can provide a depth and human perspective that strengthens its argument and credibility, making it an essential part of certain types of research, such as ethnography, journalism, and oral history.
