Conducting Research Interviews

If you chose to record the interview, use these tips to help you organize, maintain, and transcribe the files.

Maintaining Digital Files

• Save the files (audio, transcription, etc.) to multiple locations to prevent any accidents that may cause you to lose them.
• Use a consistent and clear file naming convention that includes the interviewee's name, the date, time, location, and topic of the interview.
• Use common file formats that can be used by most software and/or hosting sites (e.g. .mp3, .WAV, etc.).
• Make a separate copy of your audio recording for use in transcription so that you can maintain the original audio recording.

Transcribing

• Keep the transcription as close to the audio as possible. Don't correct the interviewee's grammar.
• Use footnotes or brackets to explain local sayings or colloquialisms.
• In addition to your transcription, a synopsis or summary of the interview may be helpful for organizing the main themes and stories discussed, as well as pertinent information like the interviewee's name and background.

According to the APA's Publication Manual (7th ed.), research interviews fall under their own category, separate from other conversational sources (like personal communications). See section 8.7 (pg. 259), for a clear distinction between published, personal, and research interviews.

There are three major considerations for citing information from research interviews:

1. Formatting of quotes: When formatting quotations from your interviewee, use the same formatting that you would for any other information cited in a paper (e.g. use quotation marks, quotations longer than 40 words become block quotes, etc.).
2. Citation: These quotations are not cited in the reference list. Instead, clearly state in the text of your paper that the quotations are from your interviewee(s).
3. Ethical agreements: If you and your interviewee agreed on specific ethical considerations (e.g. confidentiality or anonymity), you must uphold these agreements when you write your paper and adjust your presentation of the information accordingly.

See section 8.36, p. 278 of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) for more information on citing research interviews.

For general guidance on APA style, visit this guide:

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