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Application 1 Application 2 Application 3 Application 4 Application 5 Application 6 Application 7 |
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Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6 Module 7 |
Selecting Interviewees.
Application 3 asked you to generate a list of possible interviewees for each scenario and reasons why these interviewees would be appropriate. Let's take a look at each situation.
Information Interview Scenario
I might start by looking at these sites, such as:
Each site has an email address, so I could contact the sponsors of each site and possibly conduct email interviews with the companies' owners or top-level employees. This information would give me the insider's view of the paper writing business.
A second group of interviewees would include high school and university administrators. For example, it would be useful to interview high school principals and university vice-presidents in charge of student affairs.
High school teachers and college professors are a third group of interviewees who could shed light on the topic. They might have an idea of the extent of the problem and strategies for preventing students from submitting website papers.
Finally, I would interview students. This might be tricky, as I would want to interview students who had used term paper websites. Yet, how many students would admit to using such papers? That is, I don't know that students would be willing to divulge the information I need. However, it might be useful to interview students in general and find out their perspectives on the issue.
I would likely begin with the CEO to find out what she/he has in mind for this program. For example, I would need to know how much money the CEO was willing to invest, what constituted "arts," and the degree to which the company was making a long-term commitment to the program.
I would then need to find out what junior high schools were already doing in this area. So, I would interview junior high administrators, such as vice-principals, and art teachers to identify what, if anything, the schools were doing to introduce students to the arts.
Having little background in the arts, with the exception of going to museums and occasionally a concert or play, I would need to know what resources are available in my community to assist with this program. I might start with:
I would interview members of these organizations, particularly people involved in community outreach, to get a sense of the kinds of programs appropriate to junior high students. I would also want to know what support I could expect from these organizations in implementing my CEO's ambitious program.
It would also be useful to interview junior high students. What are their interests? What keeps their attention? What motivates them? What do they know about the arts?
I might want to start with a website such as Business Owners' Idea Cafe. Along with many resources for small business owners and those wanting to start their own business, Idea Cafe includes Coffee Talk with Experts as part of CyberSchmooz. In Coffee Talk with Experts, small business experts answer specific questions posed in Cyber Schmooz. In addition, there's a profile of each expert with an email address, so I could ask a few of these experts if they would be willing to participate in an email interview. Cyber Schmooz allows for more informal interviewing in that I could pose a question and anyone participating in the bulletin board could post a response.
The City of San José's Office of Economic Development might be able to provide me with the names of local small business owners.
Then, I would look around my neighborhood and identify small businesses that seem to be doing well. I would contact the owners and request an interview. In addition, I would ask them for suggestions on other small business owners to interview. I would want to interview a range of small business owners, from those who have just started to those who have had many years of success.
Finally, I would make a list of my friends who are small business owners and interview them about their experiences.
When interviewing small business owners, I would need to keep in mind that they will have agendas as well. For example, they will probably want to frame their businesses in the best light possible.
Many people face this problem, but few do their homework before getting a puppy. When choosing any pet, it's important to find one that fits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Dog trainers are a good place to start. They work with hundreds of breeds as well as mixed-breeds. I would go through the telephone book or the Yellow Pages and call several dog trainers until I identified 3 or 4 who would be willing to participate in an interview. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers might also be able to provide me with some useful contacts.
Veterinarians can also provide insight into dog personalities and health issues. The telephone book is again the place to start. I would interview veterinarians or veterinarian to find out about different breeds, places to get a puppy, and things to consider when making my final choice.
As with starting my own business, I'd also interview friends of mine who own dogs. I would want to know what they like/dislike about their dog, how easy/difficult it was to train, and advice they would give me in locating the right kind of dog for me.
Module 3 and Application 3 should get your started in determining which interviewees would be appropriate to the topic you're researching. In making your decision, be sure to consider the following questions: