How to Conduct a Successful Interview for a Research Paper

Few things can spice up a research paper like a good interview. That's why I thought it would be a good idea to go through the essentials of interviewing.

Before the interview

• Research the topic before you start the interview. You have to know what you are talking about. The better prepared you are, the more sophisticated the questions you can ask.
• Prepare your questions very carefully, as one bad question can spoil the whole interview. Keep them clear and explicit so you don't confuse the person you're interviewing.
• Be sure you know the purpose of your questions. What do you want to get from the interview? Is your main motive to collect facts, to hear different views on a subject, or perhaps to gather arguments?
• Prepare all the supplies you need, such as a pen, pencil, notebook and recorder.

While interviewing

• Be there on time! This is hugely important. Arriving late is a horrible way to start an interview. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression.
• Conduct the interview in a relaxed environment. Put your phone on silent and try to remove any objects that may distract you.
• Don't hesitate to ask for clarification if the person answers in a vague way. It's difficult to draw points from something you don't understand properly.

Following the interview

• Send the person a copy of the transcript, if needed, and remember to put a date on it.
• Start processing the information immediately after the interview, while it is still fresh in your mind.

Once you have your material, our guide to studying from multiple sources can help you combine it with your other research.