Last week we conducted primary research to prepare an annotated bibliography for the sources we will use as a major part of our research. This week you will enhance your research project by collecting additional information conducting ONE of the two following activities. You have a choice!
Choose an activity that is appropriate for your research topic and adds relevance to your previously collected information. Click each activity to understand the assignment criteria before you choose.
Option 1. CONDUCT AN INTERVIEW
Conduct an Interview
STEP 1 – Conduct a single interview with a field expert in one of your chosen disciplines (e.g., communications, government, psychology, etc.)
RULES FOR INTERVIEWING A FIELD EXPERT
DO ask your expert about procedures, processes, or rules.
DON’T ask your expert about their personal experience in their position.
DO ask your expert two or three concise questions relevant to your research.
DON’T ask your expert more than five questions.
DO conduct your interview in person, through email, or over the phone with permission.
DON’T conduct your interview without your expert’s permission to use their information in your research.
DO collect information from your expert to answer factual questions.
DON’T collect personal data from your expert (e.g. opinions, ideas, or feelings).
STEP 2 – Write and submit a 2-3-page APA formatted paper to include the following headings:
Introduction
Introduce the subject of your interview in-text, describing his or her qualifications, background and why he or she is qualified to answer your questions.
Procedure
Describe how you contacted, got permission, and conducted the interview with the field expert. List the questions you asked?
Results
Summarize the interview in paragraph form. What were the answers to your questions? Be sure to quote, paraphrase, and summarize your source (see examples below).
Conclusion
Discuss how the interview information will help you with your research paper. What do you think you will be able to apply and how?
APA EXAMPLES FOR INTERVIEW
Note: APA does not require a reference for personal interviews, but you must provide an in-text citation for the source in your paper when you use their information.
Paraphrase Example:
Captain Smith stated in a phone interview March 4, 2014 that the procedures in the juvenile law enforcement change frequently.
Quote Example:
“Procedures are reviewed and revised every six months in the juvenile criminal justice department” (J. Smith, personal communication, March 4, 2014).
