Examples of Interviewing Techniques

In composition, an interview is a  conversation in which one person (the interviewer) elicits information from another person (the subject or interviewee). A transcript or account of such a conversation is also called an interview. The interview is both a research method and a popular form of nonfiction. EtymologyFrom the Latin, between see Methods and Observations Interviewing Tips The following interviewing tips have been adapted from Chapter 12, Writing about People: The Interview, of William Zinssers book On Writing Well (HarperCollins, 2006). Choose as your subject someone whose job [or experience] is so important or so interesting or so unusual that the average reader would want to read about that person. In other words, choose someone who touches some corner of the readers life.Before the interview, make a list of questions to ask your subject.Get people talking. Learn to ask questions that will elicit answers about what is most interesting or vivid in their lives.Take notes during the interview. If you have trouble keeping up with your subject, just say, Hold it a minute, please, and write until you catch up.Use a combination of direct quotations and summaries. If the speakers conversation is ragged, ... the writer has no choice but to clean up the English and provide the missing links... Whats wrong... is to fabricate quotes or to surmise what someone might have said. To get the facts right, remember that you can call [or revisit] the person you interviewed. Honor Moore When I first began talking to people, I tended to monopolize the conversation, to steer my subject to my own interpretation of Margaretts life. Listening to my tapes, I learned that I often interrupted people just before they were about to tell me something I never would have suspected, so now I tried to let the subject guide the interview and to encourage the interviewees anecdotes. I came to understand that I was interviewing people not to substantiate my own theories but to learn Margaretts story.–Twelve Years and Counting: Writing Biography. Writing Creative Nonfiction, 2001 Elizabeth Chiseri-Strater and Bonnie Stone-Sunstein When we interview, we are not extracting information like a dentist pulls a tooth, but we make meaning together like two dancers, one leading and one following. Interview questions range between closed and open. Closed questions are like those we fill out in popular magazines or application forms: How many years of schooling have you had? Do you rent your apartment? Do you own a car?... Some closed questions are essential for gathering background data,... [but] these questions often yield single phrase answers and can shut down further talk...Open questions, by contrast, help elicit your informants perspective and allow for more conversational exchange. Because there is no single answer to open-ended questions, you will need to listen, respond, and follow the informants lead...Here are some very general open questions—sometimes called experimental and descriptive—that try to get the informant to share experiences or to describe them from his or her own point of view: Tell me more about the time when...Describe the people who were most important to...Describe the first time you...Tell me about the person who taught you about...What stands out for you when you remember...Tell me the story behind that interesting item you have.Describe a typical day in your life. When thinking of questions to ask an informant, make your informant your teacher.–FieldWorking: Reading and Writing Research, 1997 John McPhee In the way that a documentary-film crew can, by its very presence, alter a scene it is filming, a tape recorder can affect the milieu of an interview. Some interviewees will shift their gaze and talk to the recorder rather than to you. Moreover, you may find yourself not listening to the answer to a question you have asked. Use a tape recorder, yes, but maybe not as a first choice—more like a relief pitcher.–Elicitation. The New Yorker, April 7, 2014

Legalizing Voluntary Euthanasia Essay - 988 Words

Today, voluntary euthanasia is getting closer to being legalized in more than just one state in the United States. â€Å"‘Voluntary’ euthanasia means that the act of putting the person to death is the end result of the person’s own free will† (Bender 19). â€Å" Voluntary euthanasia is an area worthy of our serious consideration, since it would allow patients who have exhausted all other reasonable options to choose death rather than continue suffering† (Bender 19). The question of whether or not voluntary euthanasia should be legalized is a major debate that has been around for years. Because the issue of whether people should have the right to choose how they want to live or die is so complex. With the advances in technology today we have made†¦show more content†¦It is said that with the legalization of voluntary euthanasia it will â€Å"undermine individual and corporate incentives for creative caring† (Anonymous Why 2). Peop le who argue against voluntary euthanasia ask why not make appropriate and effective care and training more widely available, not to give doctors the easy option of euthanasia. There have been organizations supporting the legalization of voluntary euthanasia in Britain and in the US for years now. They have had some public support but were unable to achieve the goal of legalizing voluntary euthanasia in either nation. In England a society, called â€Å"The Voluntary Euthanasia Society† was founded to make voluntary euthanasia legal for an adult that is suffering. The first group that was formed in the US that was for the legalization of euthanasia was the Hemlock Society. This societie’s purpose was to support the decision of a person to die and to offer support when a person is ready to die. The only way the society would support a person was if the person believed in euthanasia for a certain amount of time before requesting to die. â€Å"On May 5, 1998, the Voluntary Euthanasia Research Foundation announced its establishment. Its purpose is to make available up-to-date information on developments in technology and methods for those s eeking voluntary euthanasia† (Fox 134). Until recently there was no success inShow MoreRelatedThe Issue Of Legalizing Voluntary Euthanasia1429 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Euthanasia refers to a practice whereby an act is intentionally carried out with the purpose inducing death . It is usually seen in light of inducing death to patients who are terminally ill or may not be terminally ill but are suffering from unbearable pain . The focus of this paper is on voluntary euthanasia, namely, euthanasia carried out upon the request of a patient deemed competent enough to make such decisions . This paper will argue the importance of legalising voluntary euthanasia toRead MoreActive And Passive Euthanasia Essay1739 Words   |  7 Pages Rachels and Brock In â€Å"Active and Passive Euthanasia† Rachels demonstrates the similarities between passive and active euthanasia. He claims that if one is permissible, than the other must also be accessible to a patient who prefers that particular fate. Rachels spends the majority of the article arguing against the recommendations of the AMA. The AMA proposes that active euthanasia contradicts what the medical profession stands for. The AMA thinks that ending a person’s life is ethically wrongRead MoreEuthanasia Should Be Legalized For Terminally Ill People1064 Words   |  5 PagesThe word euthanasia has a Greek meaning â€Å"the good death. On the other hand, in the society today, there are deeper and more meanings to euthanasia than before. Voluntary euthanasia concerns itself with the consent of the person to die through the assistance of others. Voluntary euthanasia can be divided into two areas: passive voluntary witch is holding back medical treatment with the patientâ₠¬â„¢s request, active voluntary killing the patient at that patient s request informing the assistant on howRead MoreThe World Today Is Filled With Pain. Much Of This Pain1271 Words   |  6 Pagesof time of any pain. Then why is euthanasia such a widely debated topic? Euthanasia is a merciful act that can take away pain and give closure to loved ones. The sight of a friend, mentor, family member, or even oneself in a feeble state, nowhere near one’s â€Å"old self†, can be so wretched. Regardless of religion, political views, race, gender, etc, no one wants to experience the pain of this. Voluntary euthanasia and some strictly regulated non-voluntary euthanasia needs to be legalized around theRead MoreThe Difference Between Moral Permissibility And Legal Permissibility1462 Words   |  6 Pageslives: physician-assisted suicide (PAS), voluntary active euthanasia (VAE) and passive euthanasia. PAS is when a physician intentionally and knowingly prescribes lethal drugs to a patient intending to commit suicide. VAE is when a physician administers a lethal injection to kill a voluntary, informed patient upon request. Passive euthanasia is when a physician withholds treatment and leaves the patient to die. It is commonly thought for passive euthanasia to be ethically permissible, but not forRead MoreShould Physician Assisted Suicide Be Legalized?1426 Words   |  6 PagesDifferent life ending decision includes assisted suicide, voluntary or involuntary active euthanasia, voluntary or involuntary passive euthanasia and non-voluntary euthanasia (Cassity, 2009). Voluntary active euthanasia is similar to active suicide, but in this other person is the one who does the death causing act. When the person has intension to die and he/she refuses the life sustaining medical treatment, it is known as voluntary passive euthanasia. When another person is the cause of patient deathRead MoreEssay Pro Euthanasia1372 Words   |  6 Pagesright now euthanasia is il legal in many countries and is a very controversial topic. Is it compassion for the patient helping them in ending their life or murder? The doctor is not giving death as an option, it is the patients choice and even where it is legal there are many rules. Euthanasia should not be considered a crime because the patient is not being murdered; they are having their suffering end in a painless, humane way out of compassion for the patient and their family. Euthanasia is definedRead MoreShould Euthanasia or Assisted Suicide Be Legalized in Canada?1486 Words   |  6 PagesEuthanasia, formally known as mercy killing, is the act of intentionally causing the painless death of a sick person, rather than allowing that person to die naturally. In terms of a physicians actions, it can be passive in that a physician plays no direct role in the death of the person or it can be active in that the physician does something directly to cause the death (Yount, 2002). Euthanasia may also be formed into three types of act, which are voluntary, involuntary, and nonvoluntary. VoluntaryRead MoreEssay about The Debate Over Euthanasia1216 Words   |  5 PagesThe Debate Over Euthanasia The controversy over euthanasia has recently become highly publicized. However, this issue is not a new debate. Society has voiced its opinions on the subject for hundreds of years. Euthanasia, which is Greek for good death, refers to the act of ending another person’s life in order to end their suffering and pain.1 Two forms, passive and active euthanasia, categorize the actions taken to end the person’s life. Passive euthanasia involves removing a patient’s lifeRead MoreEuthanasia Is A Form Of Doctor Assisted Suicide1379 Words   |  6 PagesEuthanasia is a form of doctor assisted suicide. There are many different types of Euthanasia and all are currently illegal in the United States with the exception of the state of Oregon. When a patient is being Euthanized they can be given an injection intravenously which causes their death this is called Euthanasia by action. A person could also be assisted to death through euthanasia by omission; this is when the patien t is not provided with the appropriate things such as food or water. Also patients

Dumbest Generation Free Essays

Mark Bauerlein seems to believe that is the dumbest generation because research has shown that knowledge skills and intellectual habits have gone down, and although some people agree with him, others don’t. I believe this generation isn’t the dumbest because there are other things that need to be considered when calling someone, a group of people, or even an entire generation stupid or dumb, rather than just knowledge skills and intellectual habits. Knowledge isn’t all about what people know or how well they are in school. We will write a custom essay sample on Dumbest Generation or any similar topic only for you Order Now IQ tests test the intelligence of the person; however they test the pure thinking capacity rather than what people know. This means that intelligence comes from the entire cognitive thinking ability and not what they know. IQ tests have also been rising since the 1930’s (Source B). Furthermore, just because this doesn’t know things that people knew two generations before us did, doesn’t make us dumb. This generation is learning about things that people didn’t even know about two or even one generation ago. Also, most students in college don’t think that what was important back then is relevant today, so they don’t see the point in remembering or learning about it. That isn’t stupidity, that’s just choice in the information that they wish to hold. Plus, some people are more intelligent about certain things about other people, but that doesn’t make them dumb or stupid about that subject. They just don’t understand it as much as other people. If you look at other subjects for that person, I’m sure you’ll find their strong spot, and what they’re good at. It all depends on what their brain can understand and comprehend. Moreover, students and even adults are coming together. They create groups and social activities that allow people with similar interests and intelligence to get together and help and teach what they know about that particular subject. They come to these people for their knowledge to improve their craft, gain reputation, and expanding their intelligence and interest in their craft (Source C). Although most people may disagree, the new media and social advances help with this. It allows students to reach people around the globe and get other information so they get direct information. According to Mizuko (Source C), â€Å"Youth respect one another’s authority online and are more often motivated to learn from peers than adults. † So by this meaning, the social media allows students to learn in a more advanced way to where they don’t feel like they are being condescending. This also allows the students to learn more of on their own and exploring, rather than knowing the goals and going by a direct lesson plan. Given the fact that most students use Google instead of a library might make people think that we are being derived of learning how to do research on our own. Although most people are right, Google does have benefits. If someone just needs a quick way to get information, Google is good place to get started. Most people know to make sure things are doubled in places rather than just in one place though, so they know what to do about how to research. Additionally, having social media and the internet, texting, email etc. , also creates more chances of writing. Most parents and teachers think that this is causing a downfall in school and literacy capabilities but in reality its actually helping. According to Thompson (Source G), she believes we are in the middle of a literacy revolution. This generation writes more than any other generation before. Most peoples’ writing happens outside the classroom. It may not be very advanced writing, but it is writing. It works the writing and literacy capabilities because it is still writing. They have to read, comprehend, understand, and respond. All of which includes using the abilities that they already had. Also, almost thirty-eight percent of writing happens outside of the classroom. Everything that people write, including texting and email etc. , add up and help with their brain which expands their learning and thinking capacity. Along with social media, there are video games. The people who play video games say that they help with hand-eye coordination, and those who don’t say that the video games make the brains weak. But in all actuality, video games help expand the thinking capacity and help the thinking and learning capabilities. They figure out how to get through things in the game and don’t just cheat by using a manual. They have to think about what could happen next or look at how things happen so they know how to act, react, and do (Source F). Furthermore, every generation has their â€Å"dumb spots†. That doesn’t make each generation the dumbest generation though. One person can’t say that this is the dumbest generation when every generation is dumb at some point or with some group of people. In 1962, according to Simpson, (Source E), he did a documentary about a group of people who didn’t even know what most people did know at their age. They barely knew anything at all and they weren’t able to spend all day texting or playing video games. Each generation has their problems, so one cannot pinpoint what generation is the dumbest generation. So, although some people believe different, I believe this generation is not the dumbest generation because knowledge is not all about the amount of information a person holds. It’s about the thinking capacity and other things can interrupt that thinking process, and also, each generation has their â€Å"dumb† faults. This generation may be more evident, but it is not the dumbest generation. How to cite Dumbest Generation, Essay examples

Power and Politics in Organizational Management

Question: Discuss about the Power and Politics in Organizational Management. Answer: Introduction: According to the author of the article, power is closely connected to the organizational cultural and behavioral issues like employee satisfaction, organizational commitment and last but most importantly the employ performance. As described by the author, the sources of power are hugely important for the successful exercise of leadership within an organization. As per the authors discussion, for a successful leadership, exercise of the legitimate and referent power is necessary. A coercive pattern of power exercise is always harmful for the organizational culture and success. Moreover, the author has found from his research that it is important for the organizations to giving away the power among the employees within an organization. According to the author, there are a certain sources of power within an organization which are typically responsible for crating distinguishable pattern of result. He has mentioned that there are 5 sources of power within an organization: legitimate power, reward power, coercive power, expert power and referent power. With the help of the legitimate power people can b influenced by the authority of a position. It can make people work under a protocol, but it is not efficient for crating motivation. On the other hand, reward power may create motivation as it uses the strategy of providing the martial and intangible things those the employees want. With coercive power the people can be made conformed to the directions, but it will create de-motivation and dissatisfaction. The expert power can influence people with the knowledge and last but most importantly, the referent power can collect enthusiastic and unquestioning trust and loyalty. Henc, the author has suggested it has the best w ay of power control within an organization. The author have also discussed that in the modern day organizations it is needed to opt for empowerment of the employees. With a democratic approach, better participation and effective use of power can be mad possible. Moreover, a leader needs to exercise very kind of power sources, depending on the organizational situation. The Influence of Power and Politics in Organizations (Part 1) by Bernard Oladosu Omisore, Augustina Nwaneka Nweke: Power exercise and political play is inevitable within an organizational setup. Power is important for any kind of decision making and it automatically comes with the exercise of organizational politics. Organizational power and organizational politics are typically interconnected and interdependent. However, the authors have found that it is important for the peoples of an organization to take part in the organizational politics. It creates a power dimension within an organization. However, according to the authors, it is important for the organizations to b aware of the negative impact of organizational politics. Moreover, as concluded by the authors of this particular article, exercise of coercive power by the management may lead an organization to failure. It may cause disruption of the organizational political dimensions and the team morale. The authors have found that the organizations which are on the threshold of prosperity, need to opt for sectional interests. It will be helpful for them to reducing the employee frustration, friction and conflicts among the members. Moreover, the authors have that organization is an ever changing entity. With perpetual bargaining, repeated coalitions and influence tactics the organizational players uphold the enterprises. Henc, it can be clearly identified that for the survival of th organizational and its culture, politics is fundamentally important. Henc, the authors have suggested that to eradicate issues related to the organizational power tussle and political conflict, the players or the executives may use the strategy of bargaining and communication. It is important to establish such an organizational culture, which will be helpful in upholding communication among all the power stature and p olitical lobbies. Compare and contrast with the previous articles: Now, if a compare and contrast with the previously selected articles can be done, it can be noticed that, the selected articles have an underlying consent about the rejction of coercive power culture. As mentioned by Amarjit Singh the referent and expert power has a number of good impacts on the employee motivation, organizational culture and employee motivation. It helps in acquiring a positive organizational and employee performance. On the other hand, as opined by the author, a coercive power exercise creates an abusive work culture and end up in organizational failure. This particular opinion has been strongly supported by the articles of Fred C. Lunenburg and Bernard Oladosu Omisore and Augustina Nwaneka Nweke. Both the articles have suggested the rejection of the coercive power sources within an organization. However, the article of Amarjit Singh has identified the positive and negative factors of the power sources with vivid discussions, whereas, the article of Fred C. Lunenburg has suggested the rejection of the coercive power source depending on some theoretical discussions. On the other hand, the article by Cameron Anderson and Sebastian Brion has identified that an autocratic source of power has negative impact on the organizational performance level. When all the other selected articles have discussed the power issue depending upon the social and managerial perspective, the article of Cameron Anderson and Sebastien Brion has analyzed it under the light of psychological concept. However, in the conclusion of the article, the authors have suggested that it is important for the CEOs or the power players of an organization not to be autocratic or self-serving. As mentioned by them in this particular article that the self-serving attitude of the higher level of executives face them the loss of power and credibility. In the article of Fred C. Lunenburg, the author has mentioned that in the modern organizational approach, it is need to opt for a democratic approach of power exercise. He has also mentioned that with the division of power, it is possible to gain a better control over the employees. The same idea has been supported by the article of Cameron Anderson and Sebastien Brion but in different mode. These two authors have mentioned that a self-serving CEO not only disrupts the personal credibility as a leader, but also upst th team culture and employee performance. The same idea has been supported by the article of Bernard Oladosu Omisore and Augustina Nwaneka Nweke. With a different approach and context thy have supported the importance of communication within the organizational process and relation. As argued by the authors, for maintaining better team management and organizational conformity, it is important to maintain an open communication within the organization. It will be helpful in eradicating unhealthy organizational power clashes. On the other hand, Amarjit Singh has mentioned that information flow within an organization is typically important for the success of an organization. As mentioned by the author, information is opposite to the uncertainty, which is typically propelled by an autocratic leader. Henc, it is important for the organizations to encourage communication with the organizational setup. Last but not the least, both the articles of Bernard Oladosu Omisore, Augustina Nwaneka Nweke and Fred C. Lunenburg have suggested the use of new approaches for addressing the ever changing organizational challenges in the busses world. As mentioned by Fred C. Lunenburg the new approach of employee empowerment has become useful in the modern organizational setup. Recommendations: From the above-discussions, the following recommendations can be made: Avoid aggressive use of power The employees of the organizations must try to avoid any kind of aggressive use of power. The aggressive use of power creates mental pressure on the other employees and breaks the team bonding within the organization. Ultimately, the overall performance of the company is hampered. Use power in a friendly way The employees of the organizations must use the power in order to improve their personal performance as well as the overall performance standards of the organization. Therefore, if the employees use their power in a friendly manner then they can get help from the others and they can help others in their works. Hence, power can be used for personal improvements and organizational improvements. Use power strictly to implement any essential policy The management of the organizations can use its power to implement any new and essential policy. Sometimes, management faces several issues from the employees end while implementing any new policy. At this time, management can use its power to implement the policy successfully. Use power to motivate the others The people especially the leaders in the organizations can use their power to motivate the sub-ordinates. The leaders can positively influence the sub-ordinates or team members by using their personal as well as organizational power. For example, the leaders can provide the reward to the sub-ordinates, whose performance standard is at the highest position. This will motivate the employees or team members to perform better in the future days. Therefore, from the above recommendations, it can be said that if the people in the organizations use the power in a right manner, then the performance of the organization can be improved easily. Key findings: In the analysis of the four articles, it has been identified that term power is very common for any type of organization. Power can bring positive outcomes as well as negative outcomes. In the article Power and Leadership: An Influence Process, it has been identified that there are mainly two types of power present in an organization and these are organizational power and personal power. Personal power of the people in the organization comes from the job satisfaction, performance standards and the organizational commitments. On the other side, organizational power comes legitimate and rewards. The impact of power on the performance of organization depends on the way how the people use it. Sometimes, the people use the power in such a way that abuses the other people. This kind of use of power hampers the organizational performance. The authoritative power forces the employees within the organization to execute their tasks or works. This type of force creates mental pressure on the employees. Hence, the performance standards of the employees get down, which affects the overall performance of the organization. However, the articles have also indicated that the power that is generated through high standard of performance and job satisfaction is helpful for improving the performance level of the organization. This type of power of the employees helps the management to operate the business successfully. At the same time, the presence of this type of power helps to bring a positive working environment within the company. On the other side, positive power helps the employees to enhance their performance standard. Improved performance standard also helpful for the future carrier development of the employees as well as helps them to overcome any type of challenges at the workplace. Therefore, it can be said from the key findings of the articles that power is good for future development of an organization; however, the impacts of power depends on its use. References: Anderson, C. Brion, S. (2016).Perspectives on Power in Organizations - Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1(1):67.Annualreviews.org. Retrieved 5 October 2016, from https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-031413-091259 Lunenburg, F.C., 2012. Power and leadership: an influence process.International journal of management, business, and administration,15(1), pp.1-9. Nweke, A.N., 2014. The Influence of Power and Politics in Organizations (Part 1).International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences,4(7), p.164. Singh, A. (2016). Organizational Power in Perspective: Leadership and Management in Engineering: (ASCE).Leadership And Management In Engineering. Retrieved from https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%29LM.1943-5630.0000018.