Developing Interview Questions, An Art of Communication

Lecture presentation.

1. Developing Interview Questions Lecture 3 CRS 435 Online

2. Before Formulating the ? Prefacing – uttering a statement that will help lead you into your questioning Advanced technique Establishes credibility Shows knowledge of interviewee  builds rapport & trust Provides for a more natural channel for asking the question Gives context to the audience

3. Robin Roberts (ABC, 2012) Obviously , you have put a lot of thought into this. And you bring up Mitt Romney. And you and others in your administration have been critical of him changing positions, feeling that he's doing it for political gain. You realize there are going to be some people that are going to be saying the same with you about this, when you are not president, you were for gay marriage. Then 2007, you changed your position. A couple years ago, you said you were evolving. And the evolution seems to have been something that we're discussing right now. But do you — do you see where some people might consider that the same thing, being politics? Preface

4. Research is KEY Research! Research! Research!

5. Open vs. Closed Questions Open – invite respondents to answer with some freedom in terms of length of their answers Tell me about your vacation What was it like being in the navy during WWII? Closed – Narrow in focus and restrict the respondent’s freedom to answer any way What is your favorite breakfast cereal? How many driving hours have you logged?

6. Primary vs. Probing Primary: Introduce topics, new areas within a topic. Can stand alone, even when taken out of context Probing: A dditional information following a primary question Only makes sense within context. AKA follow-up questions Example of probing turned primary

7. Types of probing questions Silent – allow respondent to speak by being quiet and patient. Nudge – a word or phrase EG. And? So? Uh-huh? Yeah? Restatement – often respondents don’t quite answer question correctly or entirely, restate/rephrase original question Be tactful and careful not to embarrass respondent

8. Probing Questions Cont. Clearinghouse – Encourage respondent to volunteer information you might not think to ask about or info to fill in gaps You can’t anticipate or plan for all of the information a respondent may be willing to reveal. Informational – Gets additional information or explanations. Pry open vague, superficial, suggestive answers.

9. Probing Questions Cont. Reflective – Questions the verify and clarify to make sure interviewer has interpreted the response as the respondent intended. Make it obvious that you’re trying to verify NOT lead or trap him/her into giving a desired answer Mirror – Ensures that you have accurately understood the information by summarizing a series of answers to assure accurate understanding and retention. Doesn’t just repeat what’s recorded, processes info

10. Common Question Pitfalls Bipolar Trap – asking Yes/No questions when you wanted more detailed answers Tell Me Everything – Asking a question with no restrictions/ guidelines Double-barreled – Two or more questions in one. Eg . How was your trip and did you meet any interesting people?

11. More Common Question Pitfalls Leading Push – Suggesting how a respondent should answer. Eg . I’m going to the review session, aren’t you? Guessing game – End up guessing info instead of asking. Yes (no) response - Obvious questions produce obvious answers. Curious probe – Asking for information you don’t need, won’t use as it’s not immediately relevant to your purpose

12. Neutral vs. Leading Questions Neutral: Presenting questions without a decision or direction for respondents to take. Encourage honest answers. NOT mutually exclusive with open-ended questions (closed, neutral questions = bipolar) Leading: Suggesting answers within questions – expected, desired response

13. Beware of Interviewer Bias! Have you ever said or worded something the way you thought the interviewer wanted to hear it? (ahem, your “weaknesses”) When respondents provide answers they feel the interviewer prefers to hear Bias includes leading questions, dress, word choice, nonverbal communication, etc.

14. Examples of Leading and Neutral Questions Do you want another slice of pie? You’re going to Denise’s party, aren’t you? Have you stopped cheating on your homework assignments? How do you feel about cafeteria food? How did you like the last Pirates movie in comparison with the second? Did you like that concert?

15. Loaded Questions Extreme leading question Dictates answer through language and entrapment For example the cheating question implies that you are a cheater – regardless of your answer Tonal/Vocal shifts like the last question shapes the way you’re supposed to answer that question Important Uses: sales representatives, police officers, journalists, recruiters

16. Neutral Leading Open Closed Open Closed Primary How do you feel about the new IRS requirement? Do you approve or disapprove of the new IRS requirement? Most top accountants favor the new IRS requirement; how do you feel about it? Do you favor the new IRS requirement like most top accountants I’ve talked to? Probing Why do you feel that way? Is your approval moderate or strong? If you favor the new requirement, why did you initially oppose it? I assume you favor the new requirement because you’re retiring in two weeks