Background research

Definition

Background research refers to the process of gathering relevant information and context about a subject, individual, or event before conducting an interview. This practice helps interviewers understand the background of their subjects, allowing them to formulate insightful questions and foster a productive dialogue during interviews.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Conducting thorough background research helps identify key themes and trends related to the interview subject, enhancing the quality of the conversation.
2. Effective background research involves using various sources, including news articles, social media profiles, and statistics related to the individual or topic.
3. Understanding an interviewee's history and achievements can help in crafting specific questions that delve deeper into their experiences.
4. Background research not only aids in developing questions but also builds rapport with the interviewee by showing preparation and respect for their work.
5. Interviewers should also be aware of current events that may influence the interview subject to ask timely and relevant questions.

Review Questions

• How does background research enhance the quality of questions during sports interviews?
  • Background research enhances the quality of questions by providing interviewers with valuable insights into the subject's career, achievements, and personal experiences. With this knowledge, interviewers can tailor their questions to explore significant aspects of the subject's life more deeply. This preparation leads to a more engaging and informative conversation, ensuring that important topics are covered.
• Discuss the potential consequences of inadequate background research before conducting a sports interview.
  • Inadequate background research can lead to missed opportunities for insightful questions and may result in a lack of depth in the interview. It can cause interviewers to ask generic or irrelevant questions that fail to resonate with the interviewee or the audience. Additionally, it could damage the interviewer's credibility and relationship with the interviewee if they appear unprepared or uninformed about important aspects of their career.
• Evaluate how background research contributes to building rapport with interviewees in sports journalism.
  • Background research plays a crucial role in building rapport because it shows interviewees that the journalist values their story and is genuinely interested in their experiences. By being knowledgeable about their career milestones and challenges, journalists can engage in meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level inquiries. This connection fosters trust and openness during the interview process, leading to richer content and more compelling narratives for the audience.

Related terms

Primary Sources: Original materials or firsthand accounts that provide direct evidence about a topic, such as interviews, letters, or documents.

Secondary Sources: Sources that analyze, interpret, or summarize primary sources, such as books, articles, and reviews.

Contextual Information: Information that provides background and situational understanding about a subject or event, crucial for asking informed questions.