Respondent evasiveness

Definition

Respondent evasiveness refers to the tendency of interview subjects to avoid providing direct answers to questions, often due to discomfort, lack of knowledge, or a desire to control the narrative. This behavior can significantly hinder the flow and quality of an interview, making it crucial for interviewers to identify and address such evasiveness effectively during the preparation and execution phases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Respondent evasiveness can stem from various factors including fear of judgment, lack of confidence in their knowledge, or simply wanting to avoid sensitive topics.
2. Effective interviewers prepare by crafting questions that are clear and direct, helping to minimize chances of evasiveness from respondents.
3. Using follow-up questions is a key strategy for overcoming evasiveness; they prompt respondents to provide more detail and clarify their answers.
4. Building rapport with the respondent can significantly reduce evasiveness as it fosters a more open and trusting environment during interviews.
5. Being aware of nonverbal cues can help interviewers identify when a respondent is becoming evasive and adjust their questioning strategy accordingly.

Review Questions

• How can active listening techniques help mitigate respondent evasiveness during an interview?
  • Active listening techniques can play a crucial role in mitigating respondent evasiveness by ensuring the interviewer is fully engaged with the respondent's answers. By demonstrating genuine interest and understanding through verbal affirmations and nonverbal cues, interviewers can create a more comfortable atmosphere. This can encourage respondents to open up and feel more secure in sharing their thoughts, ultimately leading to more honest and direct answers.
• In what ways can follow-up questions be strategically used to address instances of respondent evasiveness?
  • Follow-up questions can be strategically utilized by first recognizing signs of evasiveness in the initial response. They can prompt the respondent to elaborate on their answer or clarify ambiguous statements. By crafting follow-ups that are specific and open-ended, interviewers can guide the conversation back on track and elicit deeper insights from respondents, effectively countering the initial evasiveness.
• Evaluate the impact of building rapport on reducing respondent evasiveness in interviews and its long-term implications for journalism.
  • Building rapport significantly impacts reducing respondent evasiveness by fostering trust between the interviewer and the subject. When respondents feel comfortable and valued, they are more likely to provide honest and detailed answers. This not only improves the quality of information gathered during interviews but also enhances the credibility of journalistic work in the long term, as it leads to more authentic stories that reflect true experiences and perspectives.

Related terms

Active Listening:

A communication technique that involves fully concentrating, understanding, and responding to what the speaker is saying, which helps in managing evasiveness.

Follow-up Questions: Questions asked after an initial response that seek clarification or more detail, essential for countering evasive answers.

Nonverbal Cues: Body language and facial expressions that can indicate discomfort or avoidance, helping interviewers detect evasiveness.