We hear interviews on the radio and watch them on television. We are involved in or observe interviews so often that we often assume interviewing is easy and natural. Yet, effective interviewing requires training. Thus, interviews are not defined by the medium used to communicate, but most centrally by the asking and answering of questions. Asking appropriate questions to elicit relevant information is the heart of the interview.
Interviews are distinctly different from social conversation.
Although we may make polite conversation in interviews and ask questions in social conversations, all interviews are purposive and goal-directed. Preparation is crucial for any interview, and is particularly important in information interviews. Information interviews are concerned with gathering information to discover meanings and test theories. Information interviews include surveys and polls, exit interviews, oral histories, investigations, journalistic interviews, medical case histories, and diagnostic interviews.