Lecture Interviews and Questions

This lecture gave advice on how to form a question, not only for interviews, but also as a guideline for research and dissertations.

It is important to communicate to others exactly what it is you want to find out. For example asking Have you all had breakfast? instead of What did you have for breakfast this morning? implies that you are asking whether you have ever had breakfast; asking What did you have for breakfast this morning? phrases the question so that the answers you are given relate to exactly what you want to know.

The best researchers and best thinkers challenge perceptions.

• Questions are the basis of knowledge, skills and talent. 
• Questions inform and influence. 
• Questions help to build up evidence to form an argument.
• It is important to be fair and unbiased and to ask answerable questions.
• Questions that have a yes or no response or that are too general will not be useful
• Make introductions clear - what is it you want to achieve
• Explore and Propose

• Be consistent and Ethical
• Observe Facts
• Spot Patterns
• Build Theories
• Allow for a range of Responses using Guidelines (e.g. Disagree/Agree on a Scale of 1 - 7)

Question why people hold the views they hold - your subject needs depth and different views from different people/theorists/philosophers.

This was an informed and useful lecture which tied in with the Writing Workshop we had with Mary. Both discussed the conclusion of your enquiry or dissertation as a tool to being clear about what it is you want to find out about your subject, and as a means to focus your writing.