EXAMPLE

Interview Schedule

Name of Respondent: _________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________________________________________________

Date:________________________________________________________________

Introduction and Building Rapport

· My name is Amy Aldridge. I’m an instructor at NSU and a PhD student in communication at The University of Iowa. This is a part of my dissertation research.

· I’m interested in the National Education Association, and I understand you’re a member.

· I just want to assure you that all of your responses today are confidential and you will not be identified by name within the study. In fact, if you’d like you, you are more than welcome to pick your own pseudonym for the final paper.

· Is it OK if I start the tape recorder?

· Here’s how this will work, I’m going to ask you a few questions today. Please know that there are no right or wrong answers. I’m just interested in your thoughts and experiences.

· At any time, feel free to ask questions or for any clarification. Basically, this is a conversation between you and me.

· We can pass on any question.

· Any questions right now? Ready to begin?

Interview Questions

Background

• Tell me a little about your teaching background.

Need this info:

· How long have you been teaching?

· What subjects and/or grades do you teach?

· When did you join the NEA? Why? How (recruited?)?

· How long have you been a member?

· What are some incentives for belonging to the NEA?

· Tell me about your involvement in the NEA and your local association (building rep, committees, conventions?)

· What do you see as goals of the NEA? Your local affiliation?

· With whom to you talk about the NEA?

· What do you talk about? (probe a lot)

· Can you recall a conversation you had with someone about the NEA?

· Why do you talk or not talk about the NEA?

· If you had to give the NEA human characteristics, how would you describe him or her?

· How do you feel about the person you just described?

• Have your feelings about the NEA changed over the years? How? Why?

• Where do you get your information about the NEA? OEA?

• Can you recall the last time you heard or read about the NEA in the media?

Reform Probes: NCLB, vouchers, home schooling, merit pay

Platform Probes: Gay Marriage, Abortion, Death Penalty

• What was the issue?
• What did the NEA have to say about the issue?
• How do you feel about that issue?
• How do you feel about the NEA’s response?

• Have you ever thought about quitting the NEA?
• Why or why not?
• Why would you quit the NEA?
• If a person where to quit at this school, how would the other teachers respond?
• What is your future in the NEA?

A few more background questions for you. Again, remember feel free to skip any or all of them:

• Your education?
• Race?
• Marital status?
• Number of children?
• Length of residence in the community?
• Age?
• Gender?
• Combined household income?

Concluding

· Is there anything else you’d like to add?

· Thank you so much for your time. I’m going to leave my business card with you. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Also, send me your email address if you’re interested in reading the final study.