What are the three most important sources that you use to learn about developments in your field?

Informational Interview Assignment
Introduction
Every profession has its own specific research needs, practices, and sources. This assignment will give you the opportunity to learn more about how professionals in your field use research in their practice.
Interview #1
Your first step is to identify and interview subject. Look for an expert and send a cordial email requesting about 15-20 minutes of their time over the phone or in-person. You may want to identify more than one person to interview, in case your first choice can’t meet with you within the required time frame.
During the interview itself, ask questions that will help you think about the kind of research skills that are important to develop for your future practice. Here are some suggested questions, but you should add some of your own or ask follow-up questions to their answers.
What are the three most important sources that you use to learn about developments in your field? Are there particular listservs, journals, magazines, or conferences that you regularly check out?
What advice would you give to a new professional in your line of work in terms of research practices or skills?
Do you feel we have the tools necessary to end the HIV epidemic?
How do you feel we will end the epidemic?
WHEN ASKING QUESTIONS:
Ask only one question at a time. Don’t jumble the response by trying to combine multiple questions at once.
Phrase your questions in such a way as to ensure an open-ended response. Don’t put words in the interviewees’ mouths but let them choose their own vocabulary and phrasing when responding.
You should either record or take extensive notes during the interview, so that you can write up your findings after the interview. If you plan to record the interview, you will need to ask the permission of your interviewee before the interview starts.
The Thank You
What you are conducting is an informational interview. You are likely to do this again when it comes time to look for work, and the person you interview may eventually be a person who you apply for a job with. Therefore, you must make a good impression on them, and thank them for taking the time to talk with you. Send a follow-up email or letter no more than a week after your interview. You will need to turn in evidence of having sent this thank you, so make sure that you take a screenshot or photocopy of your letter to turn in with your report.
If you’re not sure what to write, feel free to use the message below as a template.
Dear [insert interviewee’s name]
I am writing to thank you for taking the time to speak with me [insert day of interview]. I know that you are very busy, and I am grateful that you took time out of your schedule to tell me more about ###. I learned a lot from our interview that will help me become a better student, researcher and professional.
Thank you,
[Insert your name]
Interview #2:
For Interview #2, you will conduct an interview with another student or individual (18-25) whose skills, knowledge, or experiences seem applicable to the subject matter.
The interview should have a clear purpose, rather than simply being a “fishing expedition” to see what facts you turn up. Prepare your questions in advance before meeting with the interviewee. You are not inflating your paper with neat-but-empty catch phrases; you are seeking to understand something better as a part of your argument. You are seeking to become an expert on the subject at hand.
1. Do you think HIV is an issue today?
2. How do you think “people” can end the HIV epidemic?

The Write-Up
It is good interview practice to write up your interview very soon after conducting it. Even if you record the interview, there will be things that you forget over time, so don’t delay this part of the assignment.
Write a page and a half to two pages from each interview, double spaced report. Use the research information from your most recent paper for your introduction paragraph. What questions did you ask and what did you find out? You will need to make your write-up understandable to your reader, and since we weren’t there with you, make sure you add enough context for us to be able to understand their answers.
Include in your write up a comparison between what you’ve read on HIV, heard from Venita and what you heard from your interviewee. Was there new information that you learned from the interview?
Be sure to include an entry for the interview in your Works Cited or Bibliography page of your final essay.
Congratulations. You are engaging in first-hand research and may find information that may never have been recorded before in any publication. You are one step closer to becoming an authoritative writer on this topic. Other writers may end up quoting you and your publications!
Your paper should follow these criteria: • 6 pages (including a cover and reference page, double-spaced, 12-point font (standard one-inch margins). • APA documentation

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