Step5: Include a script in the protocol so that the interviewer can introduce, guide, and conclude the interview in a consistent manner.

Whereas a questionnaire typically needs minimal directions, the interpersonal and conversational nature of interviews requires the interviewer to spend some time introducing an interview before launching into asking questions. Also, the interviewer may wish to signal transitions and give a brief conclusion. Although it is possible to leave what needs to be said up to the judgment of the interviewer, we recommend providing the interviewer with either an outline or text for this script. Providing this script means that an interviewer will speak more consistently as he or she interviews different respondents or that things will be said more consistently across different interviewers. This increase in standardization is desirable even if the interview itself is relatively unstructured, meaning that the interviewer may have to tailor many questions and probes according to unique circumstances.

The content of the interviewer script will vary according to the nature of the evaluation. The introduction typically includes statements of appreciation, the purpose of the interview, understandings about confidentiality, and advance organizers about the timing and structure of the interview. The signaling of transitions is discussed in Step 4. A conclusion would include another statement of thanks and reaffirmation of the value of the responses. If the interview is the last contact with the respondent in a broader evaluation, the conclusion also is a good opportunity for debriefing — i.e., answering any questions the respondent may have about the evaluation effort. Greater detail about appropriate content for an interviewer script is addressed in Administering Interviews.

When the script actually is delivered, the interviewer should sound natural (vs. giving a "canned" speech). Having the interviewer work from an outline of points to cover is one option, because the interviewer is prompted to cover certain material while having discretion as to exact wording. A written text also is reasonable as long as the interviewer feels the freedom to paraphrase for a more natural and spontaneous effect. Examples of both approaches appear in the following Scenario and Case Study.