Research Strategy:
Interviews
As you begin your research project, consider individuals with whom you could discuss your project. Some of them might be members of the faculty or people in the community. You might also try to interview the authors of articles, books, or web sites you consulted. Or someone in your class might suggest a person they know who knows something about your topic.
Preparing for the Interview
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in the interview process is lack of preparation. Prior to contacting someone to interview, you should do preliminary research on the topic. That way, you will have a basis for conversation. Furthermore, when you indicate that you have done your homework, you establish yourself as a serious researcher and it is more likely that you will get cooperation from your interview subject.
Although we generally think of interviews as taking place face-to-face or over the telephone, they can also be conducted via e-mail. You should not hesitate to send a specific question to someone via e-mail. Your e-mail should be brief, include a specific question, and indicate that you have done background research. It is likely that you will not get a response, if your tone comes across as "Will you do my research for me?" Furthermore, unless you have permission from him/her, do not send the individual you want to interview a long list of questions.
Before sending an e-mail to someone you want to interview, you might want to consult "Effective E-Mail Messages".
Additional Resources
Stephanie J. Coopman (2003) has designed an on-line tutorial that "includes seven modules. Each module includes an activity for you to apply what you've learned. The modules correspond with the seven stages in the information interview. Before beginning, assess your knowledge of information interviewing by completing the Pre-Test. There's a post-test at the end so you can compare your scores."
You might want to complete this tutorial before conducting your interview.
