I have difficulty relaying what I was told during the interview (D6).
Quickly write a (first) account of the interview
If you take notes during an interview it is important to write up those notes as soon as possible afterwards. If you wait too long it may be difficult for example to read your handwriting and/or understand the notes correctly (was this my own commentary or something that the respondent actually said?). Immediately after the interview try to find a place nearby where you can write up the first draft of your notes. Go through them and rewrite those passages which are difficult to read. Make a clear distinction between your own commentary and what you have heard from the interviewee. Work through the following points:
• Assign importance. Indicate which passages are of particular importance. Underline them with a coloured pen so that when you read the interview your attention will immediately focus on these parts.
•Identify your own commentary. Go through the codes in the margins and make sure that they are clear. Add additional commentary if you think that it is appropriate.
•List material received. Always make a separate list of the material (books, articles, brochures) that you have received. Soon you will not know which sources you collected yourself, and which ones were supplied by the respondent. The more generous the respondent has been, the more the same will be expected of you according to the principles of barter (A12).
•Formulate conclusions. Make a short decision list. You could use a separate box in which you note
(a) what you promised to do,
(b) what other appointments you have made,
(c) a number of other conclusions that you would like to make instantly. Specify your impressions. Write down some of your immediate impressions regarding the effectiveness of the interview, and give yourself feedback on the effectiveness of your interviewing style.
