Interviews and discussion groups: strangely similar.

As I got ready to run some workshops on effective discussion groups, I realized something. A discussion group is just like an interview.

Usually you don't interview 30 people at once, of course. And in a real interview, you're trying to learn something instead of trying to teach something. But other than that, the basic idea is the same: you're trying to get them to say something interesting and intelligent by asking questions.

Here are the basic concepts that apply to both running a discussion group and conducting an interview:

Ask open-ended questions. Don't ask yes or no questions (ex: Do you think the NDP will continue to prop up the government?). Don't ask leading questions (ex: Do you think the NDP is propping up the government because they struck a deal with the Conservatives?). Don't ask long-winded questions (ex: Given Layton's past strategy of using his party's record of consistently voting against the government to demonstrate the NDP's strength, what kind of strategy change does this signal for the NDP and why are they changing tactics now?). Don't ask double-barreled questions (see previous: the person answering will pick whichever part of the question is easier to answer and ignore the other part). Ask simple, direct, open questions that start with words like how and why (ex: Why would the NDP choose to prop up the government?). You'll get the most direct, interesting and honest answers in return, and they'll generate further discussion.

Research your subjects. It drives students crazy when profs and TAs assume they know nothing when they actually know a lot. It's just as bad when they assume students understand difficult foundational theories that are actually going over their heads. And it drives sources crazy when you don't know basic things you could have found out on the internet.

Be focused. I have been in so many classes where I've spent the entire time wondering where the prof or TA is going with this line of questioning or activity and how it's supposed to help me write a better paper or exam. Same thing in an interview. If it's clear what you're trying to find out and why, you'll get better answers.

Think fast. Sometimes you'll have a page full of interesting, open-ended questions prepared, and no one will have done the readings. Likewise, sometimes you'll book an interview and your subject will be a dud. This web resource from Concordia has some good ideas for things to do when you realize your original plan isn't going to work out. Keep a few of them in mind.

Listen. Ask follow up questions based on what's been said instead of sticking to a script. But...

Don't be afraid to cut people off. If you have limited time and it's obvious the discussion is going astray, guide it back to your focus. Because you should always:

Remember that you're in charge. It doesn't matter how important the person you're interviewing is - it's your interview. Don't let them turn it around and start asking you questions, or try to bluster their way through tough questions by making you feel stupid for asking them. In a discussion group, remember that THEY have a stake in impressing YOU - not the other way around.

Also, remember that both of them get a lot easier with practice.