Interviews

Worksheet Description

This worksheet provides a structured approach to selecting and evaluating potential interview candidates for the purpose of gathering information for technical writing. It prompts the student to consider six critical questions about a prospective interviewee’s qualifications, reputation, previous contributions to the topic, perspective, approach, and potential biases. These questions are designed to help the student determine the suitability and credibility of the interview subject for their research needs. By filling out this worksheet, students are guided to make informed decisions about whom to interview for their technical document.

The worksheet is aimed at teaching students the importance of due diligence before conducting interviews for technical writing projects. It imparts the skills of evaluating the expertise and reliability of a source, understanding the relevance of their viewpoint, and assessing the objectivity of the information they may provide. Students learn to critically analyze the background of their interview subjects, which is essential for collecting high-quality, unbiased data. This educational tool also emphasizes the significance of thorough preparation in the pre-interview phase of technical research.