sustain:if:able kiwi

tidy interviews

I borrowed a space yesterday to conduct another round of interviews in a commissioned research project. A local church kindly lent me their lounge space for a series of interviews I was doing with members of their church staff team. The photo captures the end of my time, with a take away coffee kindly supplied by the local church and my water bottle.

I have done 70 interviews for this project online, seated at my computer. The last 15 interviews have been face to face, traveling to meet folk in their spot. Tidying up my stuff after this round of interviews, then taking the photo, got me reflecting on how much is involved in an interview. Tucked away in my backpack after this interview was the following.

• My interview script with run order and questions prompts
• My laptop, with the visual of a theoretical framework that I am testing and refining as I listen to people’s lived experience
• A device to record the interview (I use my Iphone)
• A research journal for taking notes – and in case the recording doesn’t work or is accidentally deleted
• Pen for writing and a highlighter in case something is said I want to quickly come back (either later in the interview by way of a followup question, or during analysis afterward)
• A consent form, in case people want to re-read the consent details I have emailed them prior
• My demographics data capture sheet, one per interview
• A QR code for the participant to be able to complete a form and give their details to receive a followup thanks
• A few paper based forms, in case the participant chooses not to use the QR code

Having to pack and tidy up after an interview is a reminder that research is never as simple as talking and listening. There is hours of preparation, thinking through questions and workshopping various possibilities, as part of creating a smooth process.