Conducting and Evaluating an Interview - Essay Example

? Conducting and Evaluating an Interview al Affiliation Conducting and Evaluating an Interview Transcription of the Interview and Analysis A. Questions Used, Classification, and Techniques Used 1. Interviewer: Tell me about yourself? OPEN ENDED, CLARIFICATION Interviewee: I am Lourdes Smith, 45 years old, and working as a care giver to an old woman who is currently 70 years of age. I have been working long hours which frequently extends beyond 12 midnight and I had to get up every now and then during the wee hours of the night to attend to some health concerns of the person I am taking care of. 2. Interviewer: Tell about your present health condition? OPEN ENDED, CLARIFICATION Interviewee: I am currently having head-aches and have some problems sleeping. 3. Interviewer: Upon reflection, how long do you think this has been happening? OPEN ENDED, REFLECTION Interviewee: I believe this has started happening ever since the woman I am taking care of had some health concerns which required me to get up every now and then to be sure that medications were taken every four hours. 4. Interviewer: So, do you think this problem of yours stemmed from your abrupt change in schedule? CLOSED ENDED, PARAPHRASING Interviewee: Yes. 5. Interviewer: Is this problem frequent and persistent? CLOSED ENDED, CONFRONTATIONAL Interviewee: Yes. 6. Interviewer: Tell me about the stress that developed in you because of the work you do? OPEN ENDED, CONFRONTATIONAL Interviewee: I think I feel some form of stress in trying to balance my time to sleep and the need to attend to the needs of the woman I am currently taking care of. I know that I have to be alert but sometimes, lack of enough sleep just takes a toll on my ability to stay awake. 7. Interviewer: I hope you don’t mind my asking; but are you in a relationship with someone? CLOSED ENDED, CLARIFICATION Interviewee: Yes. I am actually married and I have two teen-aged children. 8. Interviewer: Is the relationship between the two of you fairly Ok? CLOSED ENDED, CLARIFICATION Interviewee: No. He actually complains that I hardly have any time anymore for the family and for myself. 9. Interviewer: Are there any other symptoms you would like to discuss, which would be instrumental in finding an appropriate diagnoses and cure for your problem? CLOSED ENDED, MOTIVATIONAL Interviewee: None that I know of. 10. Interviewer: What are your expectations from this session? OPEN ENDED, CLARIFICATION Interviewee: I really would have wanted to find an explanation and possible solution to my head-aches and the reasons for my inability to sleep. I know that by opening up and communicating the potential factors, I could be illuminated and you might be able to suggest effective measures that would eventually solve my problem. B. Evaluation of the Questions One is convinced that the questions which were asked were effective in terms of their ability to mix open and closed ended questions, as well as in using diverse techniques for the interview, ranging from clarification, reflection, paraphrasing, confrontational and motivational techniques. This enabled the interviewer to delve into the possible factors which contributed to the interviewee’s dilemma and solicit any pertinent information which could exacerbate the situation. As such, the interviewee was able to divulge the needed information which is instrumental in arriving at a conclusive outcome. However, if there was more time allotted, the interview questions could still be improved through more prying questions that could have given the interviewee with more opportunities to explain other situational factors which could have also been contributory to the dilemma. C. Evaluation of the Techniques Since the interview questions were able to use the different techniques, overall, these could be considered effective and balanced. Through using motivational techniques, for instance, the interviewee is encouraged to share information regarding any symptoms that she could have manifested which could assist in diagnosis and in proposing the most appropriate techniques to address the dilemma. Likewise, through confrontational techniques, the interviewee is provided the perception and image that the interviewer is confident and knowledgeable on using the information towards her best interest and advantage. Paraphrasing technique helped in reaffirming the question; while clarification technique assisted in digging deeper and trying to have a more in-depth understanding of the responses that were made. Application: Analysis and Summary a. Explanation on How the Information can Aid in Planning Treatment for the Client From the information that was gathered during the interview, it could be deduced that the main factors which were apparently contributory to her persistent and regular head-aches; as well as the inability to sleep is the change in routine demands of her work as caregiver for an old woman. As noted, since the old woman had to be assisted and reminded to take the needed medications on a more rigorous time frame, she had to make sure that the schedule is strictly adhered to. In the process, her regular sleeping routine was jeopardized. Likewise, the change in schedule also contributed to some apparent conflicts in the family, particularly in her ability to comply with expected role as mother to her two teen-aged children and a wife to her husband. Thus, the lack of sleep, stress at work, and stress in balancing work and family concerns were clearly the cause for her persistent and regular head-aches. Therefore, by accurately pinpointing the root causes or factors contributory to the dilemma, any proposed treatment and intervention should be directed on the cause and factors which are within the control of the client. Thus, since the cause of the client’s headache was stress-related, both at work and at home, she could be advised to be more cognizant of time management and prioritization of activities. In addition, being equipped with a theoretical framework on stress, anxiety and depression, could assist in recommending strategies which would ultimately provide a treatment plan for the client. b. Identification of Ethical Issues that Could Arise during the Interview The ethical issues that could arise during the interview actually include seeking consent from the interviewee; maintaining confidentiality, especially when asked; and using the information solely for the purpose that was specifically relayed to the interviewee (Fritz, n.d.). Likewise, the ethical principles for research should be observed, to include: (1) informing the participant on the purpose of the research; (2) be made to understand if there are potential risks for participating in the research; (3) identify the benefits that would be generated as participant; and (4) clearly indicate that they are free to make a decision on the matter (Fritz, n.d.). As such, an ethical interviewer should deal with these issues through observing the following: (1) seeking informed consent from the interviewee and explaining the purpose of the interview and where the information solicited would be used; (2) asking whether it would be okay to divulge personal information or whether personal details need to be withheld, as requested; and (3) adhering to the stipulation and condition that the information sought would only be used for the sole purpose of complying with the requirements of the course. Reference Fritz, K. (n.d.). Ethics in Qualitative Research. 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