Hort 425

Practice Interview and Interview Plan Assignments 

• Select someone to interview.  This person should be someone you already know or already have met, but it should NOT be a relative or close friend.

• Obtain this person's official consent.  In order to ensure the safety of anyone involved in any type of research, even something as simple as interviewing someone to get information for a class, WSU has a committee to review the research.  WSU's Human Subjects Review Board has reviewed what you will be doing in the class.  They have approved the interviews and require that you follow specific procedures.  When you ask the person you want to interview, use these exact words to obtain their implied consent:

VERBAL CONSENT SCRIPT for Practice Interviewing in Horticulture 425:

Hi  __(acquaintance's name)___.  I was wondering if you would help me with a project in my Horticulture class on Current Topics.  I need to interview an acquaintance to practice for an interview that I will be conducting with a horticulturist.  I'd like to ask you a few questions about yourself.  I'll tell my classmates who I interviewed and share my experiences in the interview, but I won't tell them specifically what you said. The interview should only take about 15 minutes. 

Your participation is voluntary and you may withdraw from the interview or decline to answer any question you feel uncomfortable responding to.  This class project has been reviewed and approved by the WSU Institutional Review Board. 

Do you have any questions about my assignment?  (answer questions, if any).
 

If you are uncomfortable saying any part of this, such as the second paragraph, then write down those words, show the paper to the person, telling them that you are required to show them that for the class.  If you have any questions about these procedures, ask Dr. Lohr before you contact the person you want to interview.
 
• Make an appointment to conduct the interview. 

• Prepare thoroughly for the interview.  You will ask the person these questions:

1. How did you become involved in ___(person's area of expertise or interest)___? 
2. What do see as the current opportunities or hottest issues in the ___(person's area of expertise or interest)___?
3. Do you have any final thoughts that you would like to add?


These questions may be used as a script.  They will  assist you in making timely and thorough progress through the interview.  The interview should proceed as though you are having a comfortable and pleasant conversation with the person.  Imagine the interview in your head, thinking about what you might say and how you will listen carefully. 
 

• Conduct the interview.  Remember the tips that you read.  Be polite, pleasant, and positive.  Listen attentively, then ask questions to be sure you have understood the responses.  Have some method to record the information you elicit during the interview.

• Immediately after the interview, find a quiet spot to review your notes and add any information that you did not record during the interview.  Do not rely on your memory at a later time.

• Report what you learned from your practice interview at Event 3, Table B in the Speakeasy Studio & Cafe.

1. Select TWO possible people to interview.  You do not need to know these people personally;  you only need to know who they are and how to get in touch with them.  These people should be  professionals and leaders involved in the field of your paper topic.  (Do not select a faculty member who teaches about the topic;  select someone who is actually doing it).  They should be well-known and well-respected in the field.  They should have current knowledge on the state of the field.  These people may be located anywhere in the world.  If either of them does not speak English, then you must be fluent in the language the person speaks.  When you actually conduct your interview, it may be done in person, by telephone, by letter, or by e-mail.  You will only conduct one interview, but you should research more than one person in case your first choice is unavailable or not approved.
2. List the name, position, what their area of expertise is, why you think they are leaders, type of interview proposed (e.g. in person or e-mail), address, and phone number or e-mail for both of the people you have selected.
3. Report your plan at Event 3, Table C in the Speakeasy Studio & Cafe.
4. Obtain approval from Dr. Lohr before contacting the person.  You will also need to obtain the consent information and the list of questions to ask before proceeding.