Step 4: Introduce the interview, reviewing its purpose and importance, the policies you have established with regards to incentives and confidentiality, and the means by which you intend to record the interview data.

The interview protocol begins with a list of points to cover in the interview's introduction. You and your assistants plan to follow this list, paraphrasing as needed. Your introduction includes a brief summary of the aquarium's mandate and progress, the value being placed on educational programs, a reminder about the gift certificate, and assurances about the confidentiality of teachers' responses (confidentiality probably will be of little concern to teachers, given the nature of the interview and a lack of direct consequences). At the end of the introduction, the protocol prompts you to ask permission to audiotape the interview. You plan to have the taping equipment handy so you can set it up quickly once each teacher has given permission.