Twenty Top Tips for Novice Researchers About to Start Their First Interview Study

Undertaking your first qualitative interview study that could make or break your academic career can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Interviewing real people, usually people you don’t know, takes many of us outside our comfort zones. Here on Academic Writing & Research, we have many relevant posts to explain what lies ahead of you. In this post, we summarise our top twenty tips for those about how to conduct qualitative interviews from before you begin to post-interview steps. Whether you’re completing an undergraduate project or a Master’s dissertation, interviews are a powerful way to explore rich, nuanced human experiences. These 20 tips will help you start strong and avoid common pitfalls.

✅ Before You Begin

1. Know Your Research Question
   A focused research question guides everything: who you interview, what you ask, and how you analyse.
2. Understand Why Interviews Suit Your Study
   Make sure interviews are the best method for answering your question — not just what everyone else is doing.
3. Learn About Qualitative Interviewing
   Read up on semi-structured vs. unstructured interviews. Key authors include Kvale, Rubin & Rubin, and Brinkmann.
4. Clarify Your Positionality
   Think about how your background, beliefs, and identity might influence the research. Reflexivity is vital in qualitative work.
5. Obtain Ethical Approval
   Universities often require approval from an ethics board. This may take time, so start early.

📝 Preparing Your Study

6. Design a Topic Guide — Not a Script
   Create open-ended questions that invite stories, not yes/no answers. Be ready to follow the conversation where it leads.
7. Pilot Your Questions
   Try them out with a friend or peer. This helps test clarity, flow, and timing.
8. Decide How You’ll Record Interviews
   Use a reliable recorder (your phone may be fine). Always ask for permission to record.
9. Think About Location
   Quiet, private, and comfortable spaces are best. Online interviews (e.g., via Zoom) are fine but come with their own issues.
10. Recruit Participants Thoughtfully
    Think through inclusion/exclusion criteria. Are you looking for diversity or similarity?

🧠 During the Interview

11. Build Rapport First
    Take time to help the participant feel comfortable. A few minutes of small talk can make a big difference.
12. Be Flexible but Focused
    Follow the participant’s lead, but gently steer the conversation back to your topic when needed.
13. Don’t Rush Silence
    Some of the most thoughtful answers come after a pause. Let silence work for you.
14. Be Aware of Your Reactions
    Stay neutral. Avoid verbal signals that suggest approval or disapproval.
15. Take Brief Field Notes
    Right after each interview, jot down impressions, emotions, and anything the recorder won’t capture.

🧰 After the Interview

16. Transcribe Promptly
    Transcribing is time-consuming. Start early, even if you plan to use software like Otter or NVivo’s transcription tool.
17. Store Data Securely
    Respect confidentiality and follow your institution’s data protection rules.
18. Start Thematic Coding Early
    Don’t wait until all data is collected. Begin identifying themes as you go.
19. Keep a Reflexive Journal
    Note your evolving thoughts, biases, and emotional responses throughout the project. It’s valuable data too.
20. Get Feedback
    Talk to your supervisor or peers about your findings and interpretations. It strengthens your analysis.

🎯 Final Thought

Interview studies are deeply rewarding — they give voice to lived experience and can shape real-world understanding. You’ll build skills that will be very useful in your chosen career. But they do demand care, reflexivity, and skill. The earlier you build good habits, the smoother your project will be.

Good luck with your research journey!