“What’s Your Name?”

Appendix I
Student Fieldwork Guide
Fieldwork is a unique kind of research that uses people as resources. Depending on the situation, the fieldworker may visit people at their home, at their place of employment, or in a more neutral setting such as a coffee shop. In an interview format or in a more informal conversation, the fieldworker will ask people questions about themselves, their lives, philosophies, art, beliefs, work, and a number of other different topics. The fieldworker usually tapes the interview session and/or takes notes during the interview. Besides interviews, fieldwork involves participation and observation. For example, a fieldworker might visit a church to take notes on the sermon, people's reaction to it, the different rituals involved, or the format of the whole service.

Fieldwork builds bridges between communities, families, schools and students. It fosters and enriches our respect and appreciation for who we are and how we are connected to the larger community. Through fieldwork, we also gain respect and appreciation for those groups or individuals who are “different” than ourselves.

Interview Skills

An interview is a tool used to gather first-hand information from people. To be a good interviewer, you need to learn how to ask good questions and get detailed information. You also need to be a good listener. A key to asking good questions is to avoid asking questions that can be answered with either a “yes” or “no,” and instead ask questions that involve explanation. These are called “open-ended” questions. Be prepared ahead of time with a list of questions, but don’t feel that you need to stay with this list. Ask “follow-up” questions based on what the person actually answers, not what’s next on your list.

Before you interview someone, practice asking questions first with a partner. Get detailed information, listen well, and don’t interrupt while they are speaking.

There are several ways to record the information you are collecting. You may take notes, use an audio tape recorder, or a video tape recorder. If you use recording equipment, practice and learn how to use it first. Use fresh batteries and new cassette tapes. Remember to place the microphone near the person you are interviewing. If you use videotape, you will need to recruit a third person to hold the camera. Taking notes is more tedious, but it is a good skill to learn. It is a good idea to write a summary from your notes while the interview is fresh in your mind, or the notes may not make sense later.

An interview is a time to be on your best behavior. Use common courtesies, such as addressing adults by their proper titles, asking politely for an interview, scheduling the interview when it is convenient for them, being punctual and prepared, and writing thank you notes the following day. It is standard procedure to ask the person to sign a release form that explains the purpose of the interview and seeks permission to use the material. For sample release forms, see the Pennsylvania Folklife Standards, pp. 37-40.

Beginning Your Fieldwork

Once you have your research topic, how do you find people to interview? Start first with the people you know. Ask parents, relatives, friends, neighbors or your teacher for suggestions. Of course, depending on the topic, any of these people may also be good sources.

Call or visit the person to set up the interview. Explain exactly what the assignment is, and what you hope to learn from them.

Begin the interview by recording identification on the tape. A sample format is:

“This is ______________________ (your name), and I am speaking with _________________ (their name). We are in ______________________ (town, state), and today’s date is ______________________.”

Remember to ask good questions and listen well. If you are having difficulty getting the person to tell detailed stories, try using photos or other mementos to help them remember an event or story relevant to your topic. Remember to thank them, and don’t overstay your welcome or wear them out.

Fieldwork Safety and Ethics

Rules of safety apply when doing fieldwork. Unless you are interviewing a family member or someone you already know well, don’t go to anyone’s house alone. No matter who you are interviewing, make sure that your parents or guardians know where you will be and at what times. For younger students, fieldwork can be conducted within the school community.

It’s important to remember that the people you interview are giving their personal opinions and stories, and you must respect their privacy. They have the right to refuse to answer any question you ask. Make sure the people are aware of what will happen with their interview. Tell them about the release form before the interview, and ask them sign it at the end. For more in-depth discussion for legal and ethical issues, see the Pennsylvania Folklife Standards, pp. 29-30.

© 2001 On Tour Productions