ABSTRACT
This chapter explores three stages of interviewing preparation, making the first contact with the interviewees, and conducting the main interview. All interviewers should be familiar with: the overall aims of the research project, the timetable, the relative importance of different parts of the inquiry and how information collected from interviews will relate to other sources such as observations, questionnaires and published documents. To get the first interview, the interviewer needs to make an appointment, cheek that the necessary approvals have been obtained, and be prepared to explain the prospective interviewee's role in the research. The relationship between interviewer and interviewee is based on the very first contact. Therefore, the interviewer needs to be alert to the signals being given by appearance, non-verbal behaviour and overall demeanour. The chapter concludes to give practical hints on how to prepare for an interview, make the initial contacts and actually carry it out.
