Tuesday, October 16, 2007

INTERVIEW READINGS

Questions should be worded so that respondents cannot simply answer yes or no, but must expound on the topic. n-depth interviews involve not only asking questions, but the systematic recording and documenting of responses coupled with intense probing for deeper meaning and understanding of the responses. Thus, in-depth interviewing often requires repeated interview sessions with the target audience under study. Unlike focus group interviews, in-depth interviews occur with one individual at a time to provide a more involving experience. The actual interview consists of three main parts. The first part involves introducing yourself and the study. It is critical that you establish a good rapport with the respondent. You also should put the respondent at ease. Your main responsibility is to listen and observe as you guide the respondent through a conversation until all of the important issues on the interview guide are explored. This, of course, is one of the most difficult aspects of the in-depth interviewing process. However, there are some strategies that have been used by researchers to improve the quality of the in-depth interview experience for both the researcher and the respondent. I belive that the hardest part about interviewing in second life is that you are not face to face with the person, and in essence loose alot of the important parts of an interview. When interviewing someone in a situation like Second Life, its impossible to tell if the person is giving you truthful answers, because you cannot read body language, or hear the sounds and pitch of the voices. Because of this, you must be able to analyzle indepth the interview and try to interpert the best you can with out the added benefits of interviewing someone face to face.

No comments: