Undertaking Effective Investigations A Guide for National Human Rights Institutions 5. PREPARING THE QUESTIONS TO ASK As a general rule it is advisable to start with broad, open-ended questions. It allows the interviewee to tell their story in their own words. Prepare question areas about overall themes and topics to lead off the interview, as opposed to targeted questions. Leave specific questions until later in the interview. Closed – “yes or no” – questions can be used to make an interviewee provide clear, concrete answers, especially if they are being evasive. As the questions and question areas are being prepared, invite input from anyone else within the organization who has been involved in the investigation, even though they may not be present at the interview. Be careful about writing down a list of specific questions and then asking them in rote fashion. There is a real danger that the investigator will ask the questions without listening to the answers. Always listen to the responses that an interviewee provides. KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 9 • Good preparation is key to conducting effective interviews. • Learn as much as possible about the issues being investigated. • Consider the interview from the interviewee’s perspective. Prepare your approach and questions accordingly. • As an organization, consider selecting interviewers with whom the person being interviewed is likely to feel most comfortable. • Anticipate and address any potential concerns before they arise. 60