Interview Techniques: Types, Skills, Ethics & NEB Exam Focus

TAKEAWAYS:

• Types of interviews (structured, unstructured, semi-structured) differ in flexibility and purpose—know when to use each.
• Key skills like active listening, open-ended questions, and body language make or break an interview.
• Ethics matter: honesty, consent, and avoiding bias are non-negotiable in journalism.
• Preparation is critical: research your subject, plan questions, and anticipate follow-ups.
• NEB loves examples: practice writing interview questions and analyzing ethical dilemmas.
• Tech tools: digital interviews require extra attention to audio/video quality and online etiquette.

What is an Interview?

An interview is a two-way conversation between a journalist (or interviewer) and a source (or interviewee) to gather information, opinions, or stories. It is a core tool in journalism for:

• Collecting firsthand information (e.g., eyewitness accounts).
• Humanizing news by giving voices to people.
• Verifying facts before publishing.

Types of Interviews

Not all interviews are the same! The type depends on the purpose, flexibility, and structure. Here’s how they differ:

mindmap
  root((Types of Interviews))
    Structured
      "Fixed questions, same order"
      "Used in surveys or formal settings"
      "Example: Political candidate Q&A"
    Unstructured
      "No fixed questions, flows naturally"
      "Used for deep insights (e.g., human-interest stories)"
      "Example: Talking to a war survivor"
    Semi-Structured
      "Mix of fixed + open-ended questions"
      "Most common in journalism"
      "Example: Investigative reporting"

Key Skills for Effective Interviews

A great interview isn’t just about asking questions—it’s about listening, building trust, and extracting useful information. Here’s what you need:

1. Preparation

• Research your subject: Know their background, recent work, or views.
• Plan questions: Start with easy questions (warm-up), then move to harder ones.
• Anticipate answers: Think about follow-up questions.

2. Questioning Techniques

Asking the right questions makes or breaks your interview. Avoid:

• Leading questions (e.g., “Don’t you think the government failed?”).
• Closed questions (e.g., “Was the meeting good?” → Yes/No only). Use instead:
• Open-ended questions (e.g., “How did you feel about the meeting?”).
• Probing questions (e.g., “Can you give an example?”).

Example: ❌ “Did you like the new policy?” (Closed) ✅ “What are your thoughts on the new policy?” (Open-ended)

3. Active Listening

• Nod, smile, and use verbal cues (“I see,” “Tell me more”).
• Avoid interrupting—let them finish before responding.
• Take notes (but don’t stare at them!).

4. Body Language

• Eye contact: Shows engagement.
• Posture: Sit upright, don’t cross arms.
• Smile: Makes the interviewee comfortable.

5. Handling Difficult Situations

• If they refuse to answer: Politely say, “I understand, but can you tell me why?”
• If they go off-topic: Gently steer back: “That’s interesting, but let’s return to…”
• If they lie or exaggerate: Stay calm, ask for evidence (“Can you show me the document?”).

Ethical Considerations in Interviews

Journalism has rules to protect people and maintain trust. Key ethics:

1. Consent: Always ask permission to record or quote someone.
2. Accuracy: Don’t misrepresent their words.
3. Fairness: Give them a chance to respond to criticism.
4. Privacy: Avoid sensitive personal details unless necessary.
5. Conflict of Interest: Don’t let personal relationships bias your reporting.

Example of Ethical Dilemma: You interview a doctor about a medical scandal. They ask you not to name them. What do you do? ✅ Solution: Explain why anonymity isn’t possible (public interest > privacy). If they refuse, find another source.

Interview Process Step-by-Step

Here’s how a semi-structured interview (most common in journalism) works:

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. Preparation: Research, plan questions, check equipment.
2. Greeting: Introduce yourself, explain the purpose, ask for consent to record.
3. Warm-up: Start with easy questions to build comfort.
4. Main Questions: Ask your key questions (open-ended).
5. Probing: Dig deeper (“Why did you say that?”).
6. Wrap-up: Summarize key points, thank them.
7. Review: Check notes for accuracy before writing the story.

Digital vs. Traditional Interviews

With technology, interviews can now be in-person, phone, or online. Here’s how they differ:

Tip for Digital Interviews:

• Test tech beforehand (sound, camera, internet).
• Use a quiet space (no background noise).
• Send questions in advance (helps nervous interviewees).

Writing Interview-Based Stories

After the interview, you must turn answers into a story. Steps:

1. Transcribe: Write down exact words (use quotes).
2. Organize: Group answers by theme.
3. Quote wisely: Use short, punchy quotes (1-2 sentences max).
4. Attribute properly: Always say “X said…” or “According to Y…”.

Example: ❌ “The doctor said the hospital was bad.” (Weak) ✅ “‘The hospital was understaffed,’ said Dr. Sharma, who worked there for 10 years.” (Strong)

NEB Exam Focus: What to Expect

The NEB exam tests theory + practical skills. Expect:

1. Short Questions: Define interview types, ethical rules.
2. Long Questions: Write interview questions for a given scenario.
3. Scenario-Based: “How would you handle an interviewee who refuses to answer?”
4. Ethical Dilemmas: “Is it okay to use a minor’s name in a story?”

Solved Example (NEB-Style)

Question: “Write 5 interview questions you would ask a local farmer about climate change.” Answer:

1. “How has climate change affected your crops in the last 5 years?” (Open-ended)
2. “What specific challenges have you faced due to unpredictable weather?” (Probing)
3. “Have you tried any new farming techniques to adapt? If so, what?” (Solution-focused)
4. “Do you think the government’s policies help farmers like you? Why or why not?” (Critical)
5. “What message would you give to young farmers about climate-smart agriculture?” (Forward-looking)

Practice Questions (NEB Board Style)

1. Define: What is a semi-structured interview? Give one example.
2. Compare: How does a structured interview differ from an unstructured one?
3. Scenario: You’re interviewing a politician who avoids answering. What do you do?
4. Ethics: Is it ethical to use a fake name for a whistleblower? Justify.
5. Write: Draft 3 interview questions for a humanitarian worker in Nepal.

Exam Tips

✅ Memorize the 3 interview types (structured, unstructured, semi-structured). ✅ Practice writing questions—NEB loves real-life examples. ✅ Ethics is key: Always mention consent, accuracy, and fairness in answers. ✅ For long questions, use the step-by-step interview process (prep → greet → questions → wrap-up). ✅ Use quotes in answers—it shows you understand journalistic writing.

Final Thought: An interview is like a conversation with a purpose. The better you listen, prepare, and ask, the stronger your story will be. Now go practice! 🎤✍️