A topic in research methodology
Part of good research practice is being well prepared by planning carefully. Here are some questions for researchers to consider in relation to research interviewing.
Piloting:
Have you piloted
- your interview schedule (see below),
- your intended analytical techniques, and
- the use of any manipulatives
in advance, and modified anything that needed changing?
Access & permissions
- Have you organised Informed consent? Do you need to issue/collect forms?
- Have you prepared a brief (& debrief) for participants?
- Do you need to take permissions from authorities or identification with you?
Setting
Have you organised/negotiated a suitable place to interview? Have you considered:
- Comfort?
- Privacy?
- Child protection concerns?
Technical issues
- Have you prepared and checked any equipment? (Do you have spares?)
- Would it be sensible to use two voice recorders?
- Do you have sufficient unused memory / tape etc.
- Do you have power/lead for your equipment (will you have access to mains and/or batteries?)
Interview schedule
- Have your prepared and packed your interview schedule or guide?
- Have you checked and packed any focal materials you wish to use in the interview?
- Do you have spares?
- Do you need stationary?
My introduction to educational research:
Taber, K. S. (2013). Classroom-based Research and Evidence-based Practice: An introduction (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
