Impact interviews

Things to consider:

• who is conducting the interview
• it may be more appropriate to obtain an external interviewer. Librarians in neighbouring Trusts may be willing to do this on a reciprocal basis
• think about influencing factors of the surrounding environment
• think about whether the way you have selected the sample could lead to overly positive (or negative) results

Does the interview need to be ‘in person’? Can it be delivered by email or over the phone? 

Can this be: 

• an opportunistic selection of candidates from a group or library visitors
• targeted users of a specific service
• a list of recommended people to interview by a key individual

Note:

• some types of sample selection could provide biased results
• do not approach people for interview who have previously expressed a desire not to be approached as this will breach GDPR

Are you offering any incentive to improve uptake e.g. prize draws, give-aways, forgiving library fines? 

Approximately 10 mins if you are looking for a few promotional quotes or up to 60 mins for research you are considering putting forward for publication.

Things to consider:

• can you meet after a meeting or at lunch-time
• remember to be flexible
• remember to share this information about the interview with participants prior to the interview to help them manage their expectations

Once prepared, find a volunteer to test your interview skills on and reflect on the feedback

You may also want to practice using any recording equipment or how you record your notes as this will affect what you can get out of the interview

Things to consider:

• prepare the list of interview questions in advance
• have suitable prompts to help the participants further understand the meaning of the questions
• share the questions with the participant prior to the interview to give them some additional thinking time
• be flexible in your questions and seek clarification on specific points

Cost savings:

• it is especially powerful for advocacy and marketing to be able to quote a specific cost saving (e.g. £10,000)  
• if the specific cost saving has not been calculated ask the interviewee to provide an informed estimate of cost savings

Time savings:

• ask how much time has been saved and what level of staff was involved (consultant / nurse, etc.)   

If other impacts have been acknowledged, obtain enough detail to be able to tell the story of how specifically – for example “Patient Care” – has been improved

Things to consider:

• the interview should be as open and informal as possible
• the more conversational, then the more useful information you are likely to obtain
• think about how to create a comfortable environment and how to put people at ease

Things to consider:

• the interviewer should be confident at communication and a good listener
• respondents should be left time to think and respond to the questions
• the interviewer needs to remain attentive and be encouraging
• try not to lead the respondent

Things to consider:

• it is important to keep the interview in focus

• people have taken time out of their busy days to support you, so remember to keep to the agreed time

• if necessary gain permission from the participant to extend the interview

When writing up the responses, remember to provide the participant with a copy to confirm the accuracy.

Things to consider:

• remember to get the participant to complete the consent form for the use of data  
• if they have requested it keep them informed on how the data is used