Step 1: Getting Ready to Conduct Interview:
1) CHOOSE A Relative or Friend that is willing to share 15-30 minutes with you.
2) MUST TAKE NOTES- Don’t FORGET! Be sure to have a notebook and pencil/pen. Write at least one-half page of notes.
Pay special attention to:
What you see,
What are the interactions between you and the interviewee,
and what are they saying, how are they saying it,
how do they sound,
what are they physically doing (biting nails, ect).
Share sights and sounds.
3) LOOK FOR THEMES: Read and Reread what you wrote.
What occurs most in your interview?
What surprised you?
How did you feel in this interview, were you comfortable?
Was your interviewee comfortable?
How did you know how based upon body-language?
HERE ARE SOME TIPS WHEN INTERVIEWING:
Think about the person that you chose.Why did you chose them? Are you interested in learning about their lives, their experiences?
Next- go as slow as you feel comfortable in the interview: You would need to be sure that you make the person that you are interviewing is comfortable. If you were conducting a true research interview, you might be able to get this information once you make the person feel comfortable. Think about how you might get someone to feel comfortable with you? Would you sit at a table? Offer them a drink. Be sure you have your paper and pen with you. Make sure that you are comfortable, as well.
Then, what do you think and feel as you are interviewing someone? Howis your interviewee treating you, are they watching you, observing you? Do you feel comfortable? If you get stuck in the interview, what did you do to get back on track?
Finally, be very specific! Taking notes is very important, as it is half this assignment and it helps you to understand the value of sociological research. Be very specific. Share all your feelings, the experiences that your family member/friend shared, and BE VERY SPECIFIC, please!
THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS YOU WILL POSE:
How would you define family?
What types of experiences/actions lessen a person’s chances of living a long life?
What are the specific functions of family daily/weekly/yearly (you can think specifically of your family)?
Do you feel that you adhere to traditional gender roles for both men and women in your family?
Do you think that issues in our public/society contribute to problems in your family?
Do you think that family life is easier today or was it easier 10, 20, 30 or 50 years ago? Why or why not? Provide examples.
What can we do to help families in the future? What help could a family use to live better lives?
What is the biggest struggle that families face today?
Would you like to add anything else about the issue of family that you would like to add?
Thank you very much for your participation in this assignment and for your time. It is very much appreciated. J
STEP 2: WRITING YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Answer these in paragraph format, please.
1) What did you think of this assignment? Does it seem worth it to research this public area by using observation? Did you like observing?
2) Next, now, use your notes, and start thinking about whether you find commonalities in the people that you see. Think about what you see that is similar to others, and think about what you see that are stark contrasts. Answer the questions below with your observations:
Who did you choose to interview? (minimum of 15 minutes).
Where did you sit? Did you do anything to accommodate your interviewee? (provide water, ect)
What were you expecting to occur during the interview, and you feel that your expectations did happen?
Were you surprised by any of the answers?
What types of interactions did you see (acknowledge) between you and the interviewee?
Do you see the importance of this type of research?
Finally, what was the best part of this type of research?
*Please pay attention to spelling and grammar and share complete full and paragraphs.
Please use simple language
