As development communicators in training, we can’t avoid going from one place to another just to gather data. Be it through observation, document search or interview. We got to experience this in our third activity.
Our group was assigned to go to Barangay San. Antonio to gather data and make a community directory. Our group (Babala) used interview as our method of data gathering. Aside from the basics, like being respectful, patient, and the like, here are some tips when conducting an interview.
1. Be prepared. While the people being interviewed are surprisingly accommodating, don’t forget that these are people with very important jobs. Their time is precious, so don’t go causing any unnecessary delays that could have been avoided if you’d have looked ahead.
2. Don’t be shy. This is an obstacle that many people face, but DevCom students will have to break out of their comfort zones if they want to have a chance to survive. Not only that, being shy may slow things down when interviewing people you need information from.
3. Be observant. While in this situation interviewing is the primary source of information, not every little thing has to be asked. Some answers can be found around one’s vicinity, so don’t go wasting someone’s time asking them questions whose answers can be found elsewhere.
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