What is an Interview Method?

S5-SA2-0368

Grade Level:

Class 7

Law, Civic Literacy, Economics, FinTech, Geopolitics, Personal Finance, Indian Governance

Definition

What is it?

The Interview Method is a way of collecting information by asking questions directly to people. It involves a conversation between an interviewer (the person asking questions) and an interviewee (the person answering them) to gather specific details or opinions.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your school wants to know what kind of new sports equipment students prefer. The principal might call a few students, one by one, and ask them questions like, 'Do you prefer football or basketball?' or 'What new game would you like to play?' This is an interview to collect their choices.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say a local samosa shop owner wants to know why some customers prefer chai over coffee.

1. **Identify Goal:** The owner wants to understand customer beverage preferences.
---2. **Prepare Questions:** The owner writes down questions like: 'What do you usually order with your samosa?', 'Do you prefer hot or cold drinks?', 'What do you like about chai/coffee?', 'How often do you visit the shop?'
---3. **Select Interviewees:** The owner decides to interview 10 regular customers over a week.
---4. **Conduct Interviews:** As customers visit, the owner politely asks them the prepared questions and notes their answers.
---5. **Analyze Data:** After 10 interviews, the owner counts how many preferred chai, how many preferred coffee, and notes common reasons.
---6. **Result:** The owner finds 7 out of 10 customers preferred chai because it's 'refreshing' and 'traditional' with samosas. This helps the owner decide to keep a good stock of chai.

Why It Matters

Understanding interview methods is crucial for many fields, from journalism to market research and even law. People in careers like HR managers, social workers, and journalists use interviews daily to make important decisions or tell stories. It helps us gather facts, understand people's perspectives, and solve real-world problems.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Asking leading questions that suggest an answer (e.g., 'Don't you agree our new uniform is better?'). | CORRECTION: Ask neutral, open-ended questions (e.g., 'What are your thoughts on the new uniform?').

MISTAKE: Not listening carefully and interrupting the interviewee. | CORRECTION: Listen actively, let the interviewee finish their thoughts, and take notes politely.

MISTAKE: Only interviewing people who agree with your existing ideas. | CORRECTION: Try to interview a diverse group of people to get a wide range of opinions and avoid bias.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: A journalist wants to write an article about how students prepare for exams. What is the best method to get detailed personal stories from students? | ANSWER: The Interview Method, because it allows for in-depth conversations and follow-up questions.

QUESTION: Your school wants to collect data on the favourite food items in the canteen. They decide to ask every student in Class 7 individually. Is this an example of the interview method? Explain why. | ANSWER: Yes, this is an example of the interview method. It involves directly asking questions to individual students to gather information about their preferences.

QUESTION: A researcher is studying why some villages in Rajasthan have better access to clean water than others. They plan to visit 5 villages and speak to the sarpanch (village head) and 10 villagers in each. What are two advantages of using the interview method for this study? | ANSWER: Two advantages are: 1. It allows the researcher to ask follow-up questions to understand complex issues like water management. 2. It helps build trust and get personal insights that might not be available through surveys, especially from people who may not be literate.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Interview Method?

It involves direct conversation.

It is used to gather information.

It always uses written questionnaires.

It can involve asking follow-up questions.

The Correct Answer Is:

The Interview Method primarily involves verbal conversations, though notes may be written. Written questionnaires are usually part of a survey method, not typically the core of an interview.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When a news channel reports on a new government policy, they often interview common citizens, experts, and politicians to get different viewpoints. Similarly, when you apply for a job after college, you will likely go through an 'interview' where the employer asks you questions to see if you're a good fit for the role. Companies like Zomato or Swiggy might interview their delivery partners to understand their challenges and improve services.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

INTERVIEWER: The person who asks questions | INTERVIEWEE: The person who answers questions | DATA: Facts or information collected | OPINION: A belief or judgment about something | BIAS: Showing unfair preference for or against something/someone

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Next, you can explore 'Types of Interviews' to learn about different interview formats, like structured or unstructured interviews. This will help you understand how the interview method can be adapted for various situations and goals.