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Many research methods exist for gathering information in a study. Whether on the phone or in person, the personal interview is an important strategy for gathering information and arriving at important conclusions.

The Interview Approach

When conducting a personal interview, the interviewing technique is of the utmost important. An unskilled interviewer can impact the outcome of a study just by virtue of the way he or she phrases questions and responds to study subjects. Therefore, interviewers must possess key characteristics and undergo specialized training.

Characteristics of the Interviewer

Here are a few important qualities of a research interviewer:

Clarity: The interviewer must speak clearly and ask questions that are easy to understand and uncomplicated.

Knowledge: Familiarity with the study parameters and the general study topic are important for directing the conversation and making important observations.

Objectivity: An interviewer must not have preexisting judgments about study outcomes or negative reactions to interviewee answers based on personal and subjective opinions.

Structure: A skilled interviewer understands how to steer a conversation, and structures the interview in such a way to minimize tangential information. The interviewer adheres to the key points relevant to the study.

Personal Interview Methods

Study interviews can be conducted over the phone, via videoconferencing or in person. The telephone method can be convenient, saving commute time for both the interviewer and the interviewee. Additionally, an interviewee may feel more comfortable over the phone.

Videoconferencing also saves commute time and allows the interviewer to observe mannerisms and body language. In-person interviews are arguably the most ideal format, allowing interviewers to establish a rapport with interviewees that may lead to obtaining more in-depth answers.