TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: The Covert Interview From:Romay Jean Sitze <rositze -at- NMSU -dot- EDU> Date:Fri, 6 Jan 1995 15:03:10 -0700
While I have not used the "covert" interview as a means of gathering
information for a formal use, I do believe Tom has something worth our
attention with this idea. I know that I have gained a great deal of
information and new insights on various topics through such casual
conversations. This sounds like a useful technique when used with a
specific purpose in mind.
On Thu, 5 Jan 1995, Tom Williams wrote:
> Most technical writers have found that it can be difficult obtaining
> information from some technical specialists. Occassionaly, however,
> one can get around this by using a "covert" interview.
> Rather than showing up in the specialist's office with a clip board and a
> list of questions, one might strike up a casual conversation in the lunch
> room or while waiting for a job to print. By expressing interest in or
> admiration for the software (or whatever) or by asking a particularly
> astute question, one can sometimes elicit an almost overwhelming flow
> of information from engineers who, when they know they are being
> "interviewed," are reticent or even rude.
> I'm thinking or writing an article on "The Covert Interview." Have any of
> you had experience with this kind of information gathering? I am most
> interested in specific examples of success and the techniques you
> used. If the article sees the light of day, I would be happy to credit you
> or keep you anonymous, whichever as you prefer.
> If you think your experience would be of general interest, reply on the
> list; otherwise respond to me directly.
> tom_williams -at- novell -dot- com
RoMay Sitze A musician must make music, an artist must
rositze -at- nmsu -dot- edu paint, a poet must write, if he is to be
ultimately at peace with himself.
-Abraham Maslow-
