Any conversation is an exchange of views. At the same time, the interlocutors are in equal positions. But to call an interview an exchange of opinions would not be entirely true, since this is information. A journalist aims to get information, so discussions are often unacceptable.
In journalism, the types of interviews can be viewed in different ways. For Americans, this is classified like this:
- depending on the material that follows (informational, personal, etc.);
- by type of organization (random, by agreement, press conference);
- on the subject of discussion (incidents, politics, crimes);
- by type of interlocutor (stars, eyewitnesses of events, inconspicuous, well-known);
- by social status (upper strata equal to a journalist, lower strata);
- by the method of communication (by phone, personal meeting).
Usually, types of interviews are classified as follows:
- protocol interviews (the purpose of which is to obtain official clarifications);
- informational (the purpose of which is to obtain information from a competent person on topical issues. Such an interview approaches a normal conversation, where the interlocutor’s answers cannot be considered a statement);
- portrait interview (disclosure of identity);
- interview-discussion (identification of possible points of view);
- interview questionnaire (fixing the opinions of various people, but only on one issue).
According to the degree of standardization, types of interviews are divided into:
- strictly standardized;
- semi-standardized;
- not standardized;
- mixed.
Strictly standardized types of interviews are planned in advance. Clear questions are drawn up, which the journalist adheres to, without departing from either orderliness or wording. These questions can be sent to the interlocutor in advance (for familiarization and preparation for answers).
Semi-standardized types of interviews are similar to standardized ones (questions are prepared in advance), but here the journalist has the right to change questions, ask additional or suggestive ones, adapting to the interviewee.
Interviews free (not standardized) do not include prepared questions. A journalist can draw up (“outline”) a conversation plan and questions that need to be addressed. You can change the prepared plan depending on the course of the conversation.
There are also mixed interviews when it is impossible to follow a clearly drawn up plan (for example, the absence of facts confirming the hypothesis).
The types of interviews are also shared by the nature of the information received. It can be:
- factual information;
- clarification of opinions or facts from one person about another (or about a problem);
- data to obtain a "portrait" of the identity of the respondent.
In addition, the types of interviews depend on the interviewee's attitude to the conversation. Some interviewees are willing to collaborate with a journalist, others are indifferent (do not leave contact, but they are not very willing to speak), others are resisting and ignoring communication in every way.
It is important to disclose the reason why the interlocutor behaved in a certain way. The journalist should be able to strengthen favorable motives and weaken obstacles, keeping the conversation within the framework of a predetermined topic. The interview method plays a significant role here.
Types of interviews at the research stage are divided into:
- preliminary (pilot study);
- basic (collection of basic information );
- control (necessary in case of insufficient information or clarification of the received).
By the number of participants, there can be a massive, group, individual interview.
A very interesting and peculiar blitz survey (these are quickly given answers to pre-prepared questions). Blitz polls can be conducted in large quantities, individually, in person, in the network (virtual questions on websites).