The question, “Do people here still value this tradition?” appears helpful but it actually assumes what answer the participant will give. The use of the word still suggests that this tradition may be fading away, and the word value requires the participant to evaluate the tradition in a certain way. A better, more open question would be, “Can you tell me how this tradition is practiced today?” This question gives the speaker the opportunity to talk about practices, changes, disagreements, etc., and doesn’t force him or her into answering “yes” or “no.”
An open-ended question typically starts with words like how, what, can you describe. Rather than asking a question that could easily be answered by saying yes or no, an open-ended question allows a participant to provide an oral account. For example, “How did you learn this custom?” or “What usually happens during this gathering?” encourages participants to explain sequences of events, people involved, specific objects used, what is said, and common understanding. These details can be compared to other interviews or fieldnotes, but it is important to first get a chance to hear what the participant has to say.
One thing to remember is to keep each question on one topic. A question like, “How did the ritual begin, why is it important, and has it changed?” forces the participant to choose which part to answer. Break up the questions so there is room for the conversation to progress. Start with a question that asks what happens. Then ask a question about the participant’s experience. Only after these two questions have been asked, should you ask a question about change, variations, or disagreements.
It is also important to use neutral language. A question like, “Why do younger people ignore this custom?” implies that younger people do ignore this custom and puts them in a negative light. Instead, try asking, “How do people of different ages participate in this custom?” Now, the participant is free to say whether or not younger people ignore the custom, adapt it, are in charge of some parts of it, or see it differently. You will be more successful at ethnographic interviewing if you create questions that allow for other pieces of evidence.
It is also a good idea to write down questions ahead of time, though it is not necessary to follow the order in which they were written. You can create a list of broader questions related to the context, routine, object, or tradition that you are trying to understand. After asking the questions you’ve prepared, leave room for additional questions that might come up during the conversation. If the participant mentions an object, place, person, or change, let him or her tell you more about that before moving to the next question.
There is also an exercise that you can do with your interview questions. Read through each question, and identify any words that express opinions, assume a particular answer, or suggest that everyone has the same experiences. Edit any yes or no questions so that the participant will have to describe the situation. Check to make sure you are not asking the participant to speak for an entire community. “What does your community believe?” is often too general, while “What have you noticed among the people you know?” focuses on the participant’s actual experience.
When interviewing, wait for clarification from the participant. Don’t jump in with your own interpretation. For example, if someone says an event is “traditional,” “normal,” “respectful,” or “important,” ask what that means. The question could be as simple as, “Can you describe an example?” The best indicator that your question is working is not necessarily a long response, but a response that gives specifics, context, differences, and details that you couldn’t have anticipated.
