Defining the Term Interview and Highlight its Purpose
Understanding the Concept and Purpose of Interviews
Introduction: What Is An Interview?
The term interview is widely used, yet its essence often goes unquestioned. In its most basic form, an interview is a structured conversation where one party, the interviewer, asks questions to gather information from another party, known as the interviewee. Interviews can happen in various settings and for numerous reasons—job recruitment, journalistic reporting, academic research, or even as a casual conversation between friends seeking to understand each other better. The common thread is the pursuit of information, understanding, or insight. This article aims to delve deeper into defining the term “interview” and highlighting its multifaceted purposes.
Defining the Term Interview and Highlight its Purpose
An interview is a structured conversation where one individual or group, known as the interviewer, asks a series of questions to another individual or group, referred to as the interviewee, with the aim of gathering information. The setting, number of participants, and types of questions can vary based on the interview’s purpose, which can be multi-faceted. Interviews are commonly used for knowledge discovery, whether in journalism, research, or employment settings. They also serve the purpose of relationship building, especially in job interviews where rapport and cultural fit are assessed. Furthermore, interviews are tools for decision-making in legal, educational, and corporate contexts, helping to guide choices by providing qualitative data. Therefore, the purpose of an interview extends beyond mere information collection to include relationship building, decision-making, and various types of assessment and evaluation.
The Structure and Mechanics of an Interview
The Setting
The setting for an interview can vary widely, from a formal office environment for job interviews to a more relaxed café setting for a journalistic feature. The setting often reflects the nature and objective of the interview.
The Participants
In most cases, there are at least two participants: the interviewer and the interviewee. In some situations, such as panel interviews or focus group discussions, multiple interviewers or interviewees may be involved.
The Questions
The questions posed during an interview are usually predetermined to some extent, although they can also be adapted in real-time based on the interviewee’s responses. The type of questions—open-ended, closed-ended, or a mixture of both—depends on the purpose of the interview.
The Purpose of Interviews: More Than Just Information Gathering
Knowledge Discovery
One of the primary reasons people conduct interviews is for knowledge discovery. This could be a journalist seeking information about a particular issue, a researcher looking to understand human behaviour, or an employer assessing a candidate’s suitability for a job.
Relationship Building
Interviews often serve the purpose of relationship building. For example, in the context of job interviews in South Africa, the interview is not just about assessing qualifications, but also about establishing rapport and mutual respect, which are significant in a working relationship.
Decision Making
Interviews often serve as a tool for decision-making. This is evident in scenarios like court trials, where a judge interviews witnesses to make a legal decision, or in a corporate setting, where managers may interview team members to decide on project direction.
Assessment and Evaluation
In educational settings, interviews are often used for assessment and evaluation. Teachers may use interviews to gauge student understanding, just as university admissions panels use interviews to evaluate prospective students’ suitability for specific courses.
Conclusion: The Multifaceted Role of Interviews
An interview is more than just a method for information gathering; it is a multifaceted tool used for various purposes like knowledge discovery, relationship building, decision-making, and assessment. Understanding the mechanics and purposes behind interviews enables us to appreciate the complexity and utility of this common yet impactful form of human interaction. Whether you’re the interviewer or interviewee, knowing the objectives can help to make the process more meaningful and effective.