Project Study: Understanding Interview Techniques

"Primary responsibility for initiating and directing the course of an oral history falls to the interviewer."


Basic Techniques

Investigative Interview Suggestions

Oral History Interview Techniques
(The Center of Military History contact information)

A Study of Interviewing Techniques

I - The Basic Interview

1) Learning the Subject

• Find the story in your subject.
• Define story progression.
• Create a quick history timeline.
• Draft questions that will elicit useful information.
• Be aware of gaps and inconsistencies in the available source materials.
• Create questions to clarify and confirm available records.

2) Preparing for the Interview

• Make an appointment with the subject.
• Define desired structure of interview.
• Define desired goals and topics.
• Write your questions down before the interview.
• Be prepared to take a different path of questioning.
• Create clear questions.

3) Supplies

• Standard cassette recorder.
• Extra batteries.
• Extra tapes.
• Pen and paper.
• Any film equipment necessary.
• Make sure to test all equipment.

4) Conducting the Interview

• Be on time.
• Be friendly, courteous and casual.
  
• Ask questions clearly.
• Don't interrupt!
• Precisely define the issue.
• Ask specific, thought-provoking questions. Avoid yes/no answers.
• Stay focused, but if something interesting comes up go with it.
• Take good notes.
• Ask the subject to repeat comments if necessary.
• Don't volunteer information unless it is relevant to your goals.
• Obtain all the information needed before ending the interview.
• The interview should be carefully planned out and structured to achieve the desired goals.
• All similar questions should be covered in their entirety before moving to another topic.
• Encourage the subject to focus attention on one particular area at a time.
• Vague questions may cause the subject to exhibit misleading behavior.
• Careful thought should go to covering all important areas.
• Ask necessary follow-up questions.
• Observe the subject’s verbal and nonverbal behavior.
• Thank the subject for his/her time.
• Get contact information for further questions.