Chapter 5: The Probing Interview
Multiple choice questions
1. Key informants are persons who
a. supply information on the local situation.
b. assist in selecting knowledgeable interviewees.
c. assist in contacting knowledgeable interviewees.
d. aid in obtaining cooperation.
e. all of the above.
2. Which of the following is not a usual part of the opening in a probing
interview?
a. offering an incentive or reward
b. identifying yourself
c. explaining how the interview will be used
d. explaining how long the interview will take
e. identifying your organization
3. Which of the following is not a rule for questions in probing interviews?
a. Avoid multiple questions.
b. Avoid questions that put the interviewee on the spot.
c. Do not use bipolar questions.
d. Avoid open-to-closed switch questions.
e. Ask questions that are to the point.
4. As an interviewer, you might prefer to be subordinate to the E because
a. the interviewee may feel less threatened
b. the interviewee may feel motivated to please you.
c. there will be fewer social pressures.
d. the interviewee may feel honored.
e. high degree of empathy will be possible.
5. Eric Nalder claims that
a. there are times when you must debate the interviewee.
b. yes (no) response questions are required at critical times.
c. there are no embarrassing questions, only embarrassing answers.
d. you can agree to ground rules but not to off the record qualifiers.
e. the number one trait of an ideal journalistic/probing interviewer
is knowledge level.
6. The probing interview requires the interviewer to do three things
immediately
a. get ideas, find respondents, and check taperecorder
b. obtain phone numbers of respondents, write questions, and clarify
the topic
c. find a topic, prepare a schedule of questions, and write the report
d. determine the purpose, research the topic, and structure the interview
e. discover who, discover what, and discover when
7. Three advantages of note taking are
a. attention; shows respondent you are interested in accuracy and improves
your ability to comprehend and retain information.
b. attention, shows the interviewee you care, conceals your nervousness
c. serves as a memory jogger, keeps track of details, makes the respondent
think you care
d. gives you something to do with your hands, suggests additional questions,
aids creating the final report
e. gets information down so you will not forget it, keeps the interview
on track, improves your questioning
8. In probing interviews, you must learn to deal effectively with
a. the neutral interviewee, the ambivalent interviewee, and the undecided
interviewee.
b. the emotional interviewee. the talkative interviewee. and the hostile
interviewee.
c. the rude interviewee, the nasty interviewee, and the hostile interviewee.
d. the suspicious interviewee, the knowledgeable interviewee, and the
deceptive interviewee.
e. all of the above.
9. If an interviewee insists that some questions and answers be off
the record,
a. why conduct the interview if everything seems off the record?
b. make it clear you will not agree to any retroactive off the record
demands.
c. be sure you understand what off the record means.
d. see if you can attribute a statement to an unnamed source.
e. all of the above
10. According to Eric Nalder, the number one characteristic of an ideal
journalist or probing interviewer is
a. optimism.
b. determination.
c. curiosity.
d. suspicion.
e. flexibility.
11. When taking notes,
a. communicate to the interviewee what you think is important.
b. ask an important follow-up question to mask your reaction to the
previous question.
c. develop the habit or taking notes from time to time during an interview.
d. continue to listen closely to what is being said and how
e. reduce interviewee curiosity by not showing your notes to the interviewee.
12. When dealing with an embarrassing situation, it is wise to
a. know when to stop.
b. drop the subject.
c. keep your cool.
d. avoid defensiveness.
e. all of the above.
13. Which of the following should you not do as a respondent?
a. hesitate before answering
b. focus on both the interviewer and the question
c. assume you know what a question is before ills completed
d. be patient
e. avoid becoming defensive
True False
T F 14. In order to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect
and trust, call the interviewee by first name or nickname.
T F 15. Men compared to women tend to talk less.
T F 16. Women interviewees tend to answer questions with
questions.
T F 17. When you are an interviewee and you must refuse
to answer a question, always say "No comment."
T F 18. Interviewer bias refers to interviewees giving
answers they think interviewers want to hear.