Using an Interview as Part of a School Assignment's Structure
In the section "Research-based Courses," we present an inspiring story of a student who transformed into a researcher through a captivating project. Alexandria Herr, a student in these courses, embarked on a journey that led her to interview Professor Alison Isenberg, a renowned historian.
The project focused on a world-renowned cathedral, and Alexandria's interview with Professor Isenberg offers unique insights into the research process, particularly during a pandemic.
Before the interview, Alexandria did her homework, researching Professor Isenberg's background and preparing a list of open-ended, semi-structured questions. During the interview, she focused on active listening, asking probing questions to clarify points of interest, and recording the conversation with permission.
After the interview, Alexandria jotting down initial impressions and listened to the interview again to ensure all information had been mentally digested. She then transcribed the recording, organized the data by themes, and used the insights to fill gaps, challenge assumptions, or illustrate key points in her research.
The interview is titled "Doing Research in a Pandemic" and is featured in "our blog News." It's important to note that for certain projects, it may be necessary to obtain IRB approval for human subject research.
This structured approach not only maximized the value of the interview as a data source but also enhanced the project with a narrative element. For Alexandria, the interview led to the discovery of other sources and interview-worthy people, making her project a testament to the power of hands-on journalism.
When deciding who to interview, keeping an open mind and persistence are key. A recent post by Andrea on the blog site offers additional interview tips. And remember, the same rules for contacting faculty apply when reaching out to potential interviewees.
[1] Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications. [2] Kvale, S., & Brinkmann, S. (2009). Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Sage publications. [3] Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2011). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. Sage publications. [4] Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). Guilford Press. [5] Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory. Sage publications.
Engaging in online education and self-development opens up opportunities for extensive learning, as demonstrated by Alexandria Herr's inspirational transformation from a student to a researcher through an online project. This project, grounded in the field of education-and-self-development, offers valuable insights into the research process, particularly during a pandemic, when Alexandria interviewed Professor Alison Isenberg.
