How to do a research interview

Main ideas and concepts / lessons conveyed

• The video contrasts two versions of a research interview:
  • Version 1 (poor interview): fails to meet many principles of good interviewing, resulting in little information, low rapport, and an abrupt end.
  • Version 2 (better interview): demonstrates how good interviewing practices improve rapport, depth of responses, ethical handling, and quality of data.
• The video’s framework comes from Steinar Kvale (1996), who lists 10 characteristics of a good interviewer, and then adds two more criteria.

Method / instructions for a good research interviewer (from the video)

Core “10 characteristics” (Steinar Kvale, 1996)

1. Be knowledgeable about the topic

   • The interviewer should be familiar with the subject.
   • They should pilot/practice beforehand to gain experience.

2. Provide structure

   • Explain the purpose of the interview early.
   • End appropriately (e.g., ask if the interviewee has questions or anything to add).

3. Ask clear questions

   • Keep questions simple, easy, and short.
   • Avoid jargon.

4. Be gentle and allow full responses

   • Let the interviewee finish.
   • Allow time for thinking.
   • Tolerate pauses.
   • Don’t interrupt too quickly.

5. Be sensitive and empathetic

   • Listen attentively.
   • Empathize in how the interviewer responds to the interviewee.

6. Be open

   • Respond to what is important to the interviewee, not only to what the interviewer expects.

7. Be flexible, while still steering

   • Adjust how questions are asked based on what the interviewee raises.
   • At the same time, the interviewer must know what they need to find out.
   • Use prompts and probes to obtain needed research information.

8. Be critical / challenge carefully

   • Not to argue, but to clarify issues such as inconsistencies or ambiguities.

9. Remember

   • Recall what was already said.
   • Relate back to earlier parts of the interview.
   • Avoid asking for information the interviewer already covered.

10. Interpret / clarify / extend meaning

    • Clarify what the interviewee means.
    • Sometimes summarize what the interviewee just said to confirm understanding.

Two added criteria (as described in the video)

• Be balanced

  • Don’t talk too much (or the interviewee may become passive).
  • Don’t talk too little (or the interviewee may feel they’re not answering correctly).

• Be ethically sensitive

  • Ensure the interviewee understands:
    • the purpose of the research,
    • how answers will be handled (e.g., confidentiality),
    • and that they can pause/stop or refuse to answer questions.

How the “poor” interview fails (examples shown in the subtitles)

• No context or explanation
  • The interviewer does not explain who she is, the purpose of the interview, or the ethical basis (e.g., confidentiality).
• No rapport
  • The interviewer appears to read questions and does not build a connection.
• No follow-up/probing
  • Short answers are accepted without:
    • why questions,
    • example requests,
    • or prompts that deepen detail (e.g., what made driving stressful).
• Question changes too quickly
  • The interview jumps to the next topic even when the interviewee signals something meaningful (e.g., stress).
• Yes/no trap
  • A question invites minimal answers and lacks follow-up (“why”/“how” is not pursued).
• Abrupt ending
  • The interview ends suddenly without giving the interviewee space to add anything.

How the “better” interview succeeds (examples shown in the subtitles)

• Strong opening and consent/ethics
  • Explains aims of the research (experiences of driving, especially learning to drive and events around taking the test).
  • Checks comfort, permission, ability to stop/take breaks.
  • Offers ethical reassurance (e.g., can refuse questions).
• Establishes rapport
  • Polite, supportive tone; invites comfort and questions.
• Uses thoughtful, open questions
  • Asks about feelings associated with driving.
  • Uses requests for detail/examples (“give me a bit of an example”).
• Probes and follows leads
  • When stress is mentioned, the interviewer asks for a specific situation.
• Uses narrative memory prompts
  • Encourages the interviewee to recall specific times and tell the story (learning experience, near misses, test story).
• Clarifies and reflects
  • References earlier topics to compare feelings and meaning (e.g., freedom vs anxiety).
  • Confirms understanding and encourages elaboration.
• Creates an ending with closure
  • Allows final space for questions and confirms the interview is complete.

Speakers / sources featured

• Steinar Kvale — author of InterViews (1996), whose “10 characteristics of a good interviewer” are summarized.
• Music — background audio noted in subtitles (no credited performer/source in the subtitles).
• Interviewers in the example interviews (unnamed in subtitles; referred to as “the interviewer”).
• Amanda — the interviewee in the example interviews.