Interview Research Project
Total Grade Weight=60 points
Essay is worth 50 points
Discussion Board sharing is worth 10 points
This assignment objective is for you to conduct an interview out in the field in order to experience qualitative research first-hand. Using your knowledge of interviews as a research method from the film “Doing Sociological Research,” you will create a set of interview questions for your chosen subject and then conduct a one on one interview. The subject of your interview must be one of the following:
1. A person of a different cultural background than your own.
OR
2. A person who is married with kids.
Once you have identified a subject and person, set up your interview at a time and place that is convenient with no distractions. You may want to use a tape recorder if possible, or pen and paper to record responses.
Before you design your interview questions, determine what your research question is (what you want to find out by conducting this interview). Refer to the web page I have provided for you entitled, “Formulating a Sociological Question” for ideas on how to get started.
Make sure that you take detailed notes or recordings during the interview. A good interviewer will always provide ‘prompts’ for interviewees who give short, simple answers. Example of interviewer; “You stated that you don’t like to help with domestic chores, could you say more about that?”
After you conduct the interview and have your notes or recordings, you will write the paper. The paper should be at least 2.5 pages in length and written in essay format. You will want to discuss what was learned in the interview process from your subject, as well as provide some quotes to support what was discussed. DO NOT number the questions inside of your essay. You are to submit a list of the questions you designed on a separate sheet of paper at the beginning of the project and then include 2.5 pages of written essay material. Here is what I am looking for in order to give you a grade:
· Your research question typed at the top of the paper. (This is only for me to see that you formulated one. You would not share this with the interview subject in the real world).
· A list of 10-15 typed interview questions that were used.
· Are all of the questions relevant to the research question you are seeking to answer?
· Essay of 2.5 pages that reflects with proper sentence structure and grammar the findings of the interview. Did you answer your research question? If so, how?
Discussion Board Sharing = 10 points
Once you have completed your interview assignment, you are to submit a one paragraph summary (6-8 sentences at least) of what you did and what some of your findings in the research were. You will also read at least one classmate’s summary and comment on their work for full credit.