It takes the right questions to conduct a good journalistic or research interview. A good interview also requires sources who are willing to tell the truth and explain information based on their knowledge. Follow the two steps below to understand how to give and answer interview questions.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Asking Interview Questions
Step 1. Research the person you are interviewing and the topic of the interview extensively
See: (Doing Research). You have to know what the source is saying.
Step 2. Record the interview with a voice recorder app on your phone or with a voice recorder
Ask permission from the source. If he allows, then you can take notes and pay more attention to the questions you ask during the interview.
Step 3. Introduce yourself and explain who you are
See: (Introducing Yourself). Have a little polite chat. It won't do much for your writing, but it will help in making the source feel comfortable.
Step 4. Ask some questions related to the background of the resource person to find out about the resource person and his expertise
Ask about education, hobbies, associations and family. You can talk about that later.
- If the information you want to know is technical information, then you can send questions to the interviewee before the interview is conducted.
- If you want to investigate the person's question, then don't send the question to him or her. The more trained they are, the less likely they are to show their true selves.
Step 5. Ask one question at a time
If you ask too many questions, the person will direct the answers in the direction they want.
Step 6. Start with a simple question
You can start by asking a question with a yes or no answer. Make the person feel comfortable with the interview being conducted.
Step 7. Next, ask open-ended questions
If you want to get an elaboration from the person, then ask questions like “Explain how” or “Can you explain the process…?”
Step 8. Ask follow-up questions
Learn how to dig deeper into questions. If the person is feeling irritated, agitated, excited or surprised, then it is a good time to investigate.
Examples of inquiry questions are such as “Can you explain what you mean when you say …,” “How did you do that?,” “Why would that impress you?” and “Can you explain more about that?”
Step 9. Conclude
If the person answers with a long and rambling answer, then try to sum it up like “So what you're saying is…. Are these conclusions representative enough?” You can ask the person for more details about something.
It's important that you take control of the interview and steer the conversation on the right track if it deviates, unless you want the interviewee to deviate
Step 10. Ask questions about their feelings
If you want to find out in detail about your personal life or reactions to something, then you can say, “Why is that significant to you?” or “What is your motivation?”
If the person is emotional, then give it a moment before continuing. You don't have to pat them on the shoulder, just give them time to cool off for a moment
Step 11. Request a follow-up meeting
You need to devise a way to double-check everything you are about to write or print. If necessary, ask the person to sign an official statement.
Method 2 of 2: Responding to Interview Questions
Step 1. Know the meaning of good press
Published interviews can put you at risk, but they can also make you famous.
Step 2. Study any questions that may arise
If you want to sound like an expert, then read journals, web articles and books a week before the interview. If you want to quote a statement, then quote it properly.
Step 3. Write down some of the answers given
A written answer won't reflect the way you gave it, but it can allow you to pinpoint the facts.
Step 4. Train yourself in conducting interviews with family members, colleagues or assistants
Ask them to ask questions that can come up. Then, try to answer some questions so that you will sound more natural when giving answers.
Step 5. Conduct the interview in a neutral area, unless the journalist or researcher asks you to conduct the interview in your office or home
Understand that any information they gather from the setting used may be used to describe you.
Step 6. Ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you do not understand the question
Instead of pausing for a moment, you can say, "Can you explain further what this question means?" or “Can you repeat the question earlier?”
Step 7. Be yourself
If you've done your research and trained yourself, then the information you want to explain will be out of your head. Show your personality while being professional during the interview.
Step 8. Speak actively
Ask the interviewer questions to appear to be giving each other information. The person will enjoy the interview and will have a better impression of your answers.
Step 9. Don't be afraid to elaborate
If the interviewer seems to be missing something important, you can say, “I want to rephrase that” or “I think this is an important part that we need to discuss.”
Step 10. Stop talking if you feel like you are talking too long
You may be able to rambling on, so stop when you have finished elaborating a complete description. You don't have to elaborate on every question.
Step 11. Provide full name, business, school or other important information
The interviewers don't always research well, so provide them with useful background information.
Step 12. Ask the interviewer where and when the interview was published
You can also ask them to send you multiple copies. Provide an email address or phone number for follow-up questions.
