Types of interviews

Any conversation is an exchange of opinions. At the same time, the interlocutors are in equal positions. But an interview to call an exchange of views would not be entirely correct, since it is getting information. A journalist aims to get information, so discussions are often unacceptable.

In journalism, the types of interviews can be viewed in different ways. The Americans classify it like this:

- depending on the material that will follow (information, personal, etc.);
- by type of organization (random, by agreement, press conference);
- on the subject of discussion (incidents, politics, crimes);
- by the type of interlocutor (stars, eyewitnesses of events, inconspicuous, well-known);
- by social status (higher layers, equal to journalist, lower strata);
- by the way of communication (by phone, personal meeting).

Usually, the types of interviews are classified as follows:

- protocol interviews (the purpose of which is to get official explanations);

- information (the purpose of which is to get information from the competent person on topical issues, such an interview is close to a normal conversation where the interviewer's answers can not be considered an application);

- interview-portrait (disclosure of personality);

- interview-discussion (identification of possible points of view);

- interview-questionnaire (fixing the opinions of different people, but only on one issue).

By the degree of standardization, the 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 being formulated, which the journalist adheres to, without departing from either order or wording. These questions can be sent to the interlocutor in advance (for acquaintance and preparation for the 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 provide prepared questions. A journalist can compose ("sketch") the plan of the conversation and the questions that need to be covered. You can change the prepared plan depending on the course of the conversation.

There are also mixed interviews where it is impossible to follow a clearly drawn up plan before (for example, the lack of evidence supporting the hypothesis).

Types of interviews are shared by the nature of the information that is received. It can be:

- factual information;
- finding out the opinion or facts of one person about another (or about the problem);
- data for obtaining a "portrait" of the person's identity.

In addition, the types of interviews depend on the attitude of the interviewee to the conversation. Some interviewees with the journalist willingly co-operate, others are indifferent (they do not leave the contact, but they also do not speak very willingly), others - resist and in every possible way ignore communication.

Here it is important to disclose the reason why the interlocutor behaved in a certain way. The journalist should be able to strengthen the favorable motives and weaken the obstacles, keeping the conversation within the framework of the pre-determined topic. The interview method plays a significant role here.

Types of interviews at the research stage are divided into:

- preliminary (aerobatics research);
- basic (collection of basic information );
- control (necessary in case of insufficient information or clarification received).

According to the number of participants there can be an interview with a mass, group, individual.

Very interesting and peculiar blitz-poll (these are quick answers to pre-prepared questions). Blitz-polls can be conducted massively, individually, in person, in the network (virtual questions on the sites).