•Research Team
Pre-Interview Checklist for Qualitative Research
A comprehensive checklist to help researchers prepare for qualitative interviews, covering preparation, ethical considerations, technical setup, and final checks.
Use this student‑friendly checklist to prep fast and feel confident before your interview. Print it or keep it open on your laptop.
Preparation
- Define objectives: One‑line goal (what insight do you need?).
- Interview guide: 5–7 open questions + 2–3 probes.
- Pilot test: Try with 1–2 people; fix confusing wording.
- Ethics: Ask teacher/IRB if approval is needed.
- Consent: Plain‑language form; explain recording/storage.
- Equipment: Mic tested; backup recording ready.
- Note‑taking: Have a notebook or digital backup notes.
- Schedule: Confirm time/location; send reminder.
- Privacy: Quiet, interruption‑free space.
Ethical considerations
- Anonymity/confidentiality: Explain how you’ll protect data.
- Sensitive topics: Plan neutral wording; allow passes.
- Withdrawal: Explain how to pause/stop at any time.
Interviewer readiness
- Active listening: Pause, reflect back, then probe.
- Neutral probes: "Can you tell me more?"
- Bias check: Note assumptions; keep wording neutral.
- Time plan: Minutes per section + transitions.
Technical setup (virtual)
- Platform: Test Zoom/Meet/Teams; try a dummy call.
- Internet: Stable connection; hotspot backup if needed.
- Instructions: Send link + tips for best audio.
Final checks
- Consent first: Review and confirm before recording.
- Backups: Extra pens, battery, storage.
- Mindset: Curious, calm, and respectful.
Top 5 to remember
- Goal: One insight you must learn.
- Expectations: Consent + ability to pause/skip.
- Sound check: Mic distance and backup recording.
- Warm start: Easy openers, then deeper topics.
- Timing: Keep a simple timer for sections.