Tips for Successful Tape-Recorded Interviews

Much of the information for this handout comes from source materials used by many field researchers, including Edward D. Ives, The Tape-Recorded Interview and Donald A. Ritchie, Doing Oral History.

1. Be familiar and comfortable with your tape recorder so you won't be distracted.
    
2. Use the list of prepared questions. (See Appendix H.) These will help you effectively conduct the interview. These are open-ended questions that allow the informants to volunteer their own accounts, to speculate on matters, and to have enough time to include material they think relevant to the subject. In framing an open-ended question, you can use a two-sentence format. The first sentence should state the problem; the second poses the question. "Over 50,000 people attended International Quilt Festival. How do you account for this kind of interest?" (D. Ritchie)
    
3. Take your time. The goal is not to answer every question, but to have an informative conversation. Let the informant explain what they think is the most significant before you begin to narrow your question or move on to the next one. "A good interviewee hears an unexpected statement and follows up with additional questions," (D. Ritchie)
    
4. Be yourself. Don't pretend to know more about something than you do. Never be afraid to admit that you did not understand what an informant meant. Just ask them to explain, clarify or even spell.
    
5. Never record secretly.

 
6. Put a watch or clock nearby, so you gauge your time. Q.S.O.S. interviews are 45- minutes long.
    
7. Use release forms (Appendix I & J) to obtain permission for the interview and photography, and for archiving the collected information. Collect these before the interview begins.
    
8. Greet your informant with a handshake and a smile. Introduce yourself; briefly explain your interest in the project, where you are from, your interest in quilts. Guide your informant to the interviewing area.
    
9. Invite your informant to sit and get comfortable. Offer a drink of water. Arrange the quilt so that you both can easily see and discuss it.
    
10. Clearly and accurately explain what is going to happen, why you want to do the interview and what will happen to the information you collect. Having this as a handout for the informants to take with them is a good idea. "This will be informal. I have a few questions to ask you about your experience with quilts. We'll go for about forty-five minutes, and please let me know if you need a break for water or the bathroom. I promise we'll stick to the schedule, because I know you've got a busy day."
     
11. Before asking the first question, make a brief opening announcement that specifies date and place, and the names of the interviewer and informant. Consider writing this on a 3" x 5" card or on your question sheet so you include everything. (This is Mary Smith. Today's date is November 2, 2000, it is 9 a.m. and I'm conducting an interview with Jane Doe for Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories project in Houston, Texas. Jane, tell me about the quilt you brought today?")
     
12. During the interview, encourage your informant by paying attention. Minimize time spent looking at the list of questions. Be expressive with your face, but silent when the informant is talking. Refrain from telling your own story.
     
13. As a rule, keep your questions short. Avoid complicated, multi-part questions. Try to avoid asking questions that can be answered with a "yes" or a "no."
     
14. Don't interrupt. If you think of a question, jot it down on your note pad so you can ask later. If your informant strays from the planned questions, it's alright. Be prepared to let your informant take the interview off in different directions. This can sometimes lead to unexpected and exciting discoveries.
     
15. Don't argue or refute knowledge. Keep your opinions out of the interview. Don't ask leading or "loaded" questions that suggest answers. For example, instead of asking, "Is it true that a good quilt is one with interesting design?" Ask, "What makes an interesting quilt?"
     
16. Keep the tape recorder running throughout the interview. Don't turn the recorder on and off except when asked to do so or when an interruption requires it. Try to avoid "off the record" information.
     
17. Use "probes" to elicit more detailed information. When did that happen? Did that ever happen to you? What did you think about that? What are the steps in doing that?
     
18. Don't fear silences. Your informant may need a moment to respond to your question. Allow the informant enough time to collect thoughts. If she/he has nothing to offer about a particular question, let them tell you so, then simply move on. Silence can also be an effective probe.
     
19. Take good notes. Describe any gestures and/or important actions made by the informant. Keep running notes on names, places and dates mentioned in the interview. In the past, we have used scribes (See section "Procedure for Scribing the Interview.") but this might not be possible if you interview on your own.

 
20. Thank your informant and tell them time is just about up. Reach conclusion on any open-ended questions.
     
21. Record a closing announcement. "I'd like to thank Jane Doe for allowing me to interview her today as part of the Quilters' S.O.S.-Save Our Stories project in Houston, Texas. Our interview concluded at 11:00 a.m., November 2, 2000."
     
22. Immediately label your tape with identification number, informant's name, date and interviewer's name. Always use a pencil.

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