Interviewer - who is it?

When we hear on TV about the results of opinion polls, the question often arises: "interviewer - who is it?" Let's look into the terminology.

interviewers in sociology called people that poll respondents or interview other people that fall under a specific sample.At the same queried the entire population as a whole, but only those categories of citizens who meet certain criteria.Selection is made by sex, age, social status, income, education, and so on. E., Depending on the goals and objectives of the study.Accordingly, those people who come under this selection, and is called by the respondents.In other words, the interviewers - those who interrogates, and the respondents - those who interrogate.

At the same time, this definition is not entirely explains the interviewer - who is it?The fact that there are several methods sociology research.When mass surveys when you want to interview a large number of respondents (about 1200-2400 people), usually resort to interviews, individual interviews.Then the interviewer finds the respondent and conducts the personal interview with him, asking questions recorded in the questionnaire (or letterhead interview, speaking the language of sociology).This talk is called "interview".

Another technique - Focus Group interviews or focus group - suggests working with a limited number of respondents, about 8-12 people.In this case, the conversation is being recorded on tape or video recording which then stands.The task of the interviewer (moderator) in this case - to try to "talk" focus group participants, to make them as accurate as possible, and openly answer questions.

Thus, answering the question "interviewer - who is it?", We can say that a man, and organize information.He does not analyze the data obtained, however, responsible for their objectivity, and - compliance with the standards stipulated in the program of study.

interviewers in this respect is similar to the amateur psychologist.If the respondent will not be able to "talk" the respondent did not cause him to speak frankly (and it is very difficult, given the volume of work for the mass surveys), then this may be considered incompetent interviewer.In this case, he will be penalized or even removed from the "field".

In principle, the answer to the question "interviewer - who is it?" Lies in the functional "bundles" with other members of the sociological research.So, if a sociologist and analyst work individually (developing a scope of work, calculations, and creates a profile of the sample, writes a report), the interviewer is working in a team.

assume door-poll.Of course, you can interrogate their own, but usually work in pairs at each.That, in principle, be explained: a man may not open, and the girls - almost always.In the hands of 30-50 issued questionnaires.With an average pace and manage simple questionnaire to interview 10-15 people.

turns out that the respondent and the interviewer - a sui generis dialectical opposites of each other: one task - to keep as much information, while another task - to get the required amount of information.Therefore, efficient operation is obtained only when they quickly found common psychological contact.And this is - the professionalism of the interviewer.