The best way to find out about a subject is to have a give-and-take conversation with an expert about it.
What is “an expert”?
Loosely defined, an "expert" is:
Someone who knows more about your topic than you
Someone who is not related to you
Someone who has a connection to your topic through work or study or experience
You'll record this interview and use it as a "source" in your I-Search paper.
Always ask the interviewee if you have their permission to record.
The best way to record is with your MacBook computer: Open Quicktime and choose "New Audio Recording". Hit the red button. Start a conversation.
The Checkpoint #9: Interview Plan
You'll write at least ten open-ended questions you plan to ask, knowing of course that you will come up with other follow-up questions during the interview itself.
Make sure that your questions show that you already have knowledge of the subject.
Make sure that some of your questions are designed to bring out the opposing views on your subject.
Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no', and instead require the respondent to elaborate on their points.
Open-ended questions help you see things from another person’s perspective as you get feedback in their own words instead of stock answers.
Key phrases: "To what extent...", "
Checkpoint #15: Interview Completed
You can do the interview at any time. Earlier is better if it is more general information and perspectives. Later is better if your expert is more of a "specialist" in one area of your research.
