Conducting Interviews
Gathering information for many cases involves conducting interviews. To make the most of the interviews, be prepared. Prior to the interview:
- Conduct background research. Become knowledgeable about the industry, company, and/or individual(s) so that you can spend the interview discussing issues for which information is not available elsewhere. The interviewee will appreciate the background knowledge that you bring to the interview and you will be able to gather more detailed and relevant information and opinions that will help you develop the case.
- Identify what information you would like to gather. What information do you need for the case? What type of information will the interviewee be able to provide? What are your goals for the interview? You may find it helpful to draft a list of the topics you want to cover or the questions you want to ask.
- Check with the interviewee if it would be helpful for you to send a list of questions in advance of the interview. Some interviewees like this so that they can gather information and prepare for the interview. This might also help confirm whether the interviewee is the right person to answer your questions. Other interviewees will prefer that you not send questions in advance as they are extremely busy and would rather wait for the interview.
- Confirm the date and the time a day or two in advance. Interviewees are often busy and confirming the interview can save both you and the interviewee time and inconvenience.
- If you would like to tape record the interview, ask permission of the interviewee at the start of the interview, prior to turning on the tape recorder.
- If needed, be prepared to ask the interviewee for referrals to other people with whom you can speak or sources for finding information.
At the end of the interview:
- Thank the interviewee for his or her time.
- Ask if you can follow up if you have additional questions or need to clarify information as you write the case. You might want to check whether to do this by phone, e-mail, or other.
- Explain that you will send the interviewee an e-mail to confirm any quotes you use from the interview. If the interviewee is your main contact at the organization, explain that you will send a final draft of the case for review and you will be asking him or her to sign a “company release form,” giving the GSB permission to use the case.
Borrowing a Tape Recorder
Tape recording an interview allows you to focus on the discussion while being sure that you are collecting all of the information. Prior to begining the interview, ask an interviewee for permission to tape record—you may only tape record the interview if the interviewee agrees. Check out a mini cassette recorder for 2-3 days by coming to the Case Writing Department Office in Room S305B. Telephone 650.725.5663 or email Margot Sutherland to arrange to borrow one. Tapes and batteries are provided. If you prefer to use your own recorder we will also provide you with tapes and batteries.
Interview Transcription
If you need a transcription of the interview(s), please submit your interview (tapes or electronic) to your case writer contact or to Davina Drabkin. Your contact or Davina will coordinate transcription services for you. Please provide the following information:
- Number of speakers and how you would like them identified
- If the interview involves people with limited participation (i.e., only made a few comments), please note this and include their names. CWO is charged by number of people participating in an interview.
- If there is background noise or anything that compromises the audio quality
- If there are accents
- If there are any names/terms that a layperson might not know
- Case number and name
- Your contact information
The CWO has a contract with Verbal Ink and normal turnaround time is approximately 5-7 days. The transcription will be returned to you by e-mail.
Arranging a Conference Call
Conference calls can be arranged using Link Conference Service. To arrange a conference call, send an e-mail to the Link Reservation Box. Include in your e-mail that you are with Stanford University - GSB and provide the billing reference (contact Margot Sutherland to request the PTAEO/billing reference number for CWO). Do not use LINK transcription services - see interview transcription above to arrange for transcription through Tigerfish or Escrptionist. More information on Link is available at J:\Case Writing\Dept\Conference Calls (ask your CWO case writer contact to access this material if you are unable to do so).
If you have a special request or any problems, contact Michael Kenmir either by e-mail or at 1-800-287-9849 ext. 3467 or call the Link main number at 1-800-287-9849.
International participants: If conference call participants will be calling in from outside of the United States, let the Link representative know as you set up the conference call. Use LINK's International Dial Out Service (Link operator will call out to participants at the time of the call and connect them).
Recording the Conference Call: Link can also record your conversation. Give the Link representative 24 hour notice so that recording can be arranged and request that the recording be sent to you electronically (.wav file). Please remember that you must notify conference call participants if you are recording the conversation and obtain their permission prior to the conference call.
Multiple Conference Calls: For CWO staff or other writers who need to conduct multiple conference calls, Link can assign a standing dial-in number and passcode that can be accessed 24/7 without a reservation. Please note that the dial-in number assigned will be for domestic conference call participants only unless you request otherwise. If you are assigned a domestic dial-in number and need to arrange for a participant calling from outside of the United States, contact Michael Kenmir (see above) for assistance. If you would like to have a conference call recorded on your standing dial-in number, you will also need to let Link know approximately 24 hours in advance.
Interview Transcriptions: Although Link offers transcription services, the CWO does NOT use them. Arrange your interview transcription through Tigerfish or Escriptionist as described above.