Interviewing techniques

Definition

Interviewing techniques are strategies and methods used by journalists to effectively gather information from sources during interviews. These techniques are essential for building rapport, prompting insightful responses, and ensuring that the information collected is accurate and relevant, which is crucial for developing investigative stories.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Effective interviewing techniques include establishing a comfortable environment, which can help interviewees feel at ease and more willing to share information.
2. Using open-ended questions is crucial in interviews as they encourage interviewees to provide more comprehensive answers rather than simple yes or no responses.
3. Active listening not only helps journalists capture accurate information but also builds trust between the journalist and the source, leading to more candid discussions.
4. Follow-up questions are important for digging deeper into a subject, helping uncover nuances and additional details that may not have been revealed initially.
5. The technique of probing allows journalists to gently push for more information or clarification, which can lead to unexpected insights and richer storytelling.

Review Questions

• How do interviewing techniques enhance the quality of information gathered in investigative journalism?
  • Interviewing techniques enhance the quality of information gathered by enabling journalists to create a trusting environment where sources feel comfortable sharing insights. By using open-ended questions and active listening, journalists can obtain more detailed responses that reveal deeper truths. These techniques foster a dialogue that often uncovers critical facts and perspectives essential for thorough investigative stories.
• Discuss the impact of active listening on the interview process and the relationship between the journalist and the source.
  • Active listening significantly impacts the interview process by allowing journalists to fully engage with their sources. This engagement creates an atmosphere of respect and trust, encouraging sources to open up. When journalists show they value what a source is saying through thoughtful responses and follow-up questions, it strengthens their relationship, leading to richer content and potentially more candid conversations.
• Evaluate how mastering various interviewing techniques can influence the outcomes of investigative reporting and its overall effectiveness.
  • Mastering various interviewing techniques can dramatically influence the outcomes of investigative reporting by equipping journalists with tools to extract vital information effectively. Techniques like using open-ended questions and probing can lead to revelations that change the course of a story. Additionally, when journalists employ active listening and establish rapport, they are more likely to gain trust, resulting in sources willing to share critical insights that enhance the story's depth and credibility.

Related terms

Open-ended questions: Questions that allow the interviewee to provide detailed responses, encouraging them to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings.

Active listening: The practice of fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully during an interview to foster a deeper connection with the interviewee.

Follow-up questions: Additional questions posed after an initial response that seek clarification or further detail on a topic to deepen the conversation.