Interviewing Family Members
Interviewing someone, whether it's a family member you've known your entire life or someone you just met, is an art in and of itself. Even for relatives you live with and believe you know inside and out, it's a good idea to prepare a list of questions beforehand and to refer to it during the interview session, so that you don't forget to ask something that might be important. Here's a list of100 questions, from ©familyhistorydaily.com, which you can read and download as needed.
In the meantime, take a look at some best practices, listed below, regarding interview questions:
interview questions: best practices
- Do not ask "yes" or "no" questions.
- Begin your question by asking a person to "describe," "talk about," "explain," or "identify."
- If the person replies to any questions with a simple "yes" or "no," follow up and ask them to describe why.
- Maintain eye contact with the person you are interviewing.
- At the same time, keep your notes and questions handy.
- Listen carefully and be prepared to follow up on an interesting or surprising response.
