ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide guidance on how to determine which people to interview, what method to use to collect the information, how to prepare for and conduct effective interviews, and how to analyze and use the information. The process used to determine who should be interviewed is called "sampling." Sampling procedures can be divided into two main types: probability sampling and nonprobability sampling. Both face-to-face and telephone survey methods can be used with structured or unstructured interviews. An important element in gaining useful and valid data is the development of good interview guides or questionnaires and good interviewing techniques. The mailout survey method is appropriate only for formal standardized questionnaires. The manner in which an interview is conducted and the way questions are formulated and presented can have great influence on respondent's willingness and ability to provide accurate and complete information. When formal questionnaires are used, many of the questions incorporate the code into the statement of the question.
