Diss blues in a cheerful key!
Woo! Just finished my first interview for my dissertation research — and it went swimmingly, I think! Feeling much relief here, as well as some amusement at myself for needlessly stressing so much. Hopefully my participant enjoyed herself as well! Now, a couple of notes for future interviews:
- zoom.us works great! Very clear directions, very easy to connect to for everyone, very simple controls, and it saves beautifully — in both video and audio format, which will make it far easier for me to do a text transcript. I’m sold! I’ll be sticking with zoom instead of skype from now on. Thanks, Sam, for the invaluable recommendation!
- Note to myself: before the interview starts, turn on a light in the room! I didn’t realize it was getting dark because I was so focused on my participant… so when I finally looked at my side of the screen again, I realized I was almost completely darked out — almost menacing looking! Totally not the perception I want to give… ;)
- I should let my participant’s words lead the discussion more, I think, rather than worrying so much about the questions. When my participant was most animated and, I think, most enjoying herself was when I let her just tell things in the way and the order she wanted.
- Sounds silly but of critical importance: use the restroom before the interview starts! Very embarrassing… ;-p
- Another note to myself: have fun! This doesn’t mean I can’t be serious or focused as well, of course, but I think when I was enjoying myself was when my participant was having the most fun as well. I’m so very grateful to both her and the lovely person who connected us! Though I can’t mention any names for the sake of confidentiality, you know who you are — and you’re amazingly good folks!
That’s it! The first of, I hope, many fascinating interviews with many wonderful women. To infinity… and beyond! :-D