Design Interview Strategy

---
name: design-interview-strategy
description: Use when planning and conducting a journalistic interview to maximize source cooperation and information yield
source: IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) interviewing methodology; Biagi "Media/Impact" journalism curriculum; SPJ best practices for source interviews
tags: [journalism, interviewing, sources, reporting]
related: [apply-visible-note-taking-elicitation]
verified: true
---

# Design Interview Strategy

Plan and execute a structured journalistic interview that builds trust, extracts accurate information, and generates usable quotes.

## Why This Is Best Practice

**Adopted by:** IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors), SPJ, Columbia Journalism School, and professional investigative teams at ProPublica, NYT Investigations, and the Washington Post.
**Impact:** Structured pre-interview research reduces interview time by 30–50% and increases the proportion of on-record statements; strategic question ordering increases the likelihood of disclosure by reluctant sources.
**Why best:** Journalism interviews differ from conversations — the reporter has an obligation to accuracy, the source has interests to protect; a deliberate strategy balances both.

Sources: IRE interviewing tipsheets; Biagi "Media/Impact" (2012); SPJ Code of Ethics (2014); Kovach & Rosenstiel "The Elements of Journalism" (2014).

## Steps

1. **Define interview goals** — list the 3–5 specific facts or quotes you need. Distinguish must-have from nice-to-have before scheduling.

2. **Research the source exhaustively** — review all prior coverage, public records, LinkedIn, court filings, and organizational materials. Never ask questions answerable through public records.

3. **Prepare a question hierarchy** — sequence: open biographical/context questions → specific factual questions → sensitive or confrontational questions → closing open-ended questions ("Is there anything I should have asked?").

4. **Arrange logistics deliberately** — in-person interviews yield more than phone; phone more than email. Record with consent (check state laws). Confirm the time, location, and scope in writing.

5. **Establish ground rules up front** — clarify on-record vs. off-record vs. on-background at the start, not mid-conversation. Define each term explicitly to avoid misunderstanding.

6. **Open with rapport-building** — start with non-threatening questions the source can answer easily. Silence is a tool; let pauses breathe.

7. **Ask one question at a time** — compound questions let sources choose which part to answer. Listen for evasions and follow up precisely.

8. **Handle reluctant sources** — acknowledge their hesitation, explain public interest, and offer partial options (on background, anonymous quote). Never mislead about the story's nature.

9. **Verify claims in real time** — ask for documentary evidence, names of witnesses, and dates while you have the source. Don't rely solely on memory or single-source claims.

10. **Close and confirm** — read key facts and quotes back to the source for accuracy confirmation. Provide a callback number; ask if they want to add anything.

## Rules

- Never misrepresent yourself or your organization to obtain an interview.
- Get explicit consent before recording; know your jurisdiction's recording laws.
- Honor off-record agreements even when the information is important.
- Do not promise story approval, quote approval, or editorial control to sources.

## Common Mistakes

- **Asking leading questions** — signals the answer you want and contaminates the record.
- **Moving to confrontational questions too early** — causes sources to shut down before providing context.
- **Failing to follow up on evasions** — "I'm not sure" and "I don't recall" require a follow-up, not acceptance.
- **Over-relying on email interviews** — email allows sources to craft lawyered answers; push for live conversation where possible.

## When NOT to Use

- When requesting a quick on-the-record confirmation of a known fact (a brief call or email suffices).
- When the source is an expert providing general background (a lighter approach applies).
- When you lack sufficient pre-research to conduct a meaningful conversation (research first).