How can you turn good interview questions into great interview questions?

As we stated earlier in the Toolkit, really good interview questions have great power. In this section we will show you some ways to turn good interview questions into great ones, along with the rationale behind the changes.

Improving Research Questions

Example:

Old: What causes or prevents student enrollment at Greentree County Center for Applied Technology?

New: What factors affect student enrollment at Greentree County Center for Applied Technology?

Reason for change: This is a bit broader than the "causes or prevents" language; it does not require that you be sure something is a cause or an absolute barrier, as long as it is a contributing factor.

Improving Interview Questions

Examples:

1. Old: Are you aware of Greentree County Center for Applied Technology?

   New: What do you know about Greentree County Center for Applied Technology?

   Reason for change: This new question avoids getting "yes/no" answers. It also opens the door for what we call "probes," which are topics that the facilitators keep track of. The facilitators should not start talking or making suggestions after they ask this question, or any others; instead, they may want to make a list of "probes." If people talk about the probe topics voluntarily, the facilitators just check them off. If participants do not talk about the probe topic, then the facilitators add questions like "What about the parking there?" or whatever the topic is. This method ensures that the participants get to talk about what interests them most without being prompted. It also ensures that you as researchers get people talking about the topics you want to know more about.

2. Old: Who or what do you think of when you hear Greentree County Center for Applied Technology?

   New: When I say "Greentree County Center for Applied Technology" what do you think of? What's the first thing that pops into your head?

   Reason for change: This is a livelier alternative that avoids the awkward "two-headed" question, "who or what." You may want to develop some probes here, too; your list might include items like "teachers," "food," "tests," "lockers," etc. Again, these are not things facilitators will start talking about or even asking about before participants respond with what's on their minds. The facilitators will use the list to keep track while participants are responding to an open question. When the voluntary comments start to die down, the facilitators can ask specifically about the remaining probe topics that have not been addressed already.

3. Old: If you have information - positive or negative - about Greentree County Center for Applied Technology, where and how did you get it?

   New: For those of you who have heard of Greentree County Center for Applied Technology before today, where did you hear about it?

   Reason for change: Just a little rephrasing. Participants will probably answer the "how" as well, without your having to add extra words to the question.

4. New: What have you heard about technical classes? (Have a prepared, short description to read if necessary.)

   New follow-up questions: What about these technical classes appeals to you? What about these technical classes is unappealing?

   Reason for change: Again, these new questions avoid "yes/no" answers and aim to uncover more about why students are or are not interested in technical classes.

5. Old: If you do have an interest in a technical class, what causes or prevents you from enrolling at the center?

   New: Which technical classes would you consider enrolling in?

   New follow-up question: What would make you definitely enroll?

   New follow-up question: What might prevent you from enrolling?

   Reason for change: Participants generally find it easier to answer one question at a time. It is also easier to distinguish and analyze responses when you ask a question in two parts.

   Other Good Interview Questions to Add

6. New: If you were advising the people who run Greentree County Center for Applied Technology, what one piece of advice would you give them about increasing enrollment in their Center?

   Reason for change: Participants often respond well to specific requests for advice.

7. New: Is there anything else you would like to add?

   Reason for change: This is a standard closing question.

Next: What are some good alternatives to simple verbal-response interview questions?