Conducting discussions and interviews including probing, counseling, appraisal, focus groups and job interviews

Conducting Interviews and Discussion

             The common purposes served through interviews may include:

•        Gathering information about facts, opinions, feelings, attitudes, beliefs, reasons for specific actions or trends, etc.

•         Giving information or instructions or briefings relating to a specific job to be performed.

•        Selecting capable people for hiring and placing in a particular organization for a particular job.

•        Assessing performances of people relating to their job.

•        Counseling and helping people to make them understand their situation tactfully.

•        Recommending people with high performance for appreciation and rewards for their good work.

      Four broad types of interviews are:
Informal or Conversational:

             In this type the interviewer enjoys complete freedom and flexibility in asking questions which he feels appropriate. He has some specific purpose in mind and controls the conversation to serve the intended purpose. However in this case the information obtained from different individuals is not comparable. It is also time consuming. A plus point is that a wide range of issues may emerge through this type.

Topic Focused: in this type of interviewer has with him a list of main topics and sub-topics which he intends to cover. The data generated through this type is more comparable. Moreover, the discussion remains within the context of the subject and thus saves time.

Semi structured, open ended: in this type the questions are open-ended. The respondents are encouraged to express them fully. The sequence of questions is not pre determined. The interviewer enjoys the freedom to ask as many questions as he feels appropriate.

Structured, close ended: It includes close ended questions, which don’t produce descriptive response. The questions are pre-determined and are asked in a particular sequence. No addition or deletion of questions can be made in this type of interview. This is especially used to collect quantitative data.

            Following are important guidelines for the extension workers to conduct successful interviews and discussions:

•        Initial contact is very important for any type of interview. Try to be very informal and friendly with the interviewee. Be very polite and courteous.

•        Establish a basis for easy communication. Ask easy and simple things in the beginning and then slowly proceed to difficult ones. This will help to overcome any initial reservations.

•        Try to win the interviewee’s confidence. Explain the purpose and scope of the inquiry to remove suspicions, if any.

•      Use local language and style. Avoid unnecessary technical terms and difficult words.

•        Follow a logical sequence while asking questions.

•        As far as possible, begin with the present and then move to questions about the future or past.

•        Care must be taken in asking the question to ensure that you are not being misunderstood. Questions must be put in an understandable way.

•        Be sure that the question will not cause any offence or otherwise lead to non-c0-operation. Interviewer must be very careful when moving on to more sensitive questions.

•        The questions should not likely to prompt a particular answer. Avoid giving the impression of having strong views on the subject under discussion. Try to be neutral as far as possible.

•       Two or more questions should not be put simultaneously. It will cause confusion and will lead to unreliable response.

•        Be careful about the time factor. The interviewee should not be too lengthy. The interviewee will be liable to make errors and lose interest if the interview lasts too long.

•        Try to be a good listener and record/observe all verbal and non-verbal factors/expressions.

 At the end, say few words of thanks and appreciation