Background information

Definition

Background information refers to the context, history, or relevant details surrounding a subject or individual that help provide deeper understanding. This information is crucial in interviews as it allows interviewers to craft insightful questions and engage meaningfully with the interviewee's experiences and perspectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gathering background information helps interviewers create a comfortable environment for the interviewee, making them more willing to share their thoughts.
2. Effective use of background information can lead to more nuanced and tailored questions, improving the overall quality of the interview.
3. Understanding an interviewee's background can reveal biases or perspectives that inform their responses, aiding in better analysis.
4. Interviewers must be careful to respect privacy when discussing sensitive background information, especially if it involves personal or off-the-record details.
5. Using background information ethically is essential, as it can influence the direction of the interview and the interpretation of responses.

Review Questions

• How does background information enhance the effectiveness of an interview?
  • Background information enhances the effectiveness of an interview by providing context that helps interviewers craft relevant and thoughtful questions. It allows interviewers to understand the interviewee's experiences and perspectives better, leading to a more engaging and insightful conversation. Additionally, having this information helps create a comfortable environment, encouraging interviewees to open up and share more freely.
• What ethical considerations should be taken into account when handling background information during interviews?
  • When handling background information during interviews, it's crucial to maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of the interviewee. Interviewers should be transparent about how they plan to use the information and ensure that any off-the-record comments are treated with discretion. Ethical considerations also include avoiding bias in questioning based on background details and being sensitive to potentially traumatic experiences that may surface during discussions.
• Evaluate the impact of thorough pre-interview research on the quality of insights gained during an interview.
  • Thorough pre-interview research significantly enhances the quality of insights gained during an interview by allowing interviewers to tailor their questions to the specific experiences and knowledge of the interviewee. This preparation leads to deeper engagement and more meaningful dialogue, as it demonstrates a genuine interest in the interviewee’s background. Consequently, this can result in richer data collection, providing more valuable perspectives that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter at hand.

Related terms

Contextualization: The process of placing information within a framework or background to better understand its significance.

Pre-interview research: The practice of gathering information about a subject or individual prior to conducting an interview to enhance the quality of questions and conversation.

Off-the-record: Information shared during an interview that is not intended for publication or public knowledge, often requiring discretion from the interviewer.