Tactical interviewing

One thing I have learnt today is the art of tactical interviewing...

When we consider doing interviews or what kind of method to use we usually think about the practical benefits to the research, but what about the affective benefits?

For example, I always wanted to do unstructured interviews, so I can let the interviewee tell me what they want to - they can lead and inform the interview. What I didn't consider was how hard it is to manage this style of interview (for a newbie in particular), how stressful going to an interview of this nature can be (you don't know what to do! As you aren't controlling it, you have to do it 'off the cuff'), and how much brainpower it takes to control the interview and also make sure you are getting all the info that you need. Instead I am doing semi structured interviews which allow me to closely follow an agenda (a list of topics and relevant q's), to go to an interview feeling there is a beginning, middle and an end, and have a piece of paper with the topics on to answer, leaving my brain free to be sociable and friendly (rather than nervously trying to remember the interview's agenda!). This, rather than being a practical solution, is actually affective - it has calmed me already knowing the questions I want to ask people, it will calm me before an interview as I will know when informal chat is becoming interview - I will ask a question and start the tape recorder - and will know the questions are written down (I don't have to try and remember them). I will also have a lovely prop to hide behind and scribble notes down on as and when. I will also 'look' like a typical interviewer which may ease the interviewee.

So it is important to think of course about what the research needs, but also to think about yourself as a researcher. If you hate group speaking or being the focus of attention then organising and debriefing lots of focus groups is not going to be your cup of tea - you will just dread it, put it off and be miserable. *Always consider yourself in the work, after all - you are doing it!*

x J