Before the interview

· Revise the issues you are going to discuss

· Make sure that you are familiar with the recording equipment

· Make sure that you have consent form, student I.D. and letter of authority (if needed)

· Make sure that you know where you are going and arrive in good time

· Tell you interviewee something about yourself, your studies and the project you are undertaking

· Ensure that the environment is appropriate for the interview and for the comfort of your interviewee

· Ensure that the interviewee is comfortable about the format of the interview and the subject(s) to be covered

During the interview:

· Discuss the consent form with your interviewee
(Consent form download) (Deposit Agreement form download)

· Reassure the interviewee that they have control over the interview

· Keep your verbal input brief

· Be empathetic and sensitive to your interviewee

· Be prepared for surprises and possible disclosures

· Be prepared to deal with digression

· Be open and receptive to what your interviewee tells you

· Think (in advance) about how you would deal with an interviewee who expresses views you find unacceptable

· Be prepared to ask for clarification if there is something you don’t understand

After the interview

· Ensure that the tape and any other material is clearly labelled

· Ask you interviewee to sign the consent form

· Spend some time with your interviewee after the interview has ended

· Accept hospitality offered to you by your interviewee

· Follow up the interview with a telephone call or note, thanking your interviewee

· Reflect on the interview, for both content and process, using your reflective learning journal