Module Six : Homework

The module six homework assignment will be to conduct and compare two Key Informant Interviews (KII) at your agency. The first interview will be with a staff member who provides a service at your agency. The second interview will be with a client who uses your agency's services. By comparing these two perspectives you may gain new insight into the service described.

Bear in Mind:

• All interviews must be kept confidential.
• Use pseudonyms to protect people’s identities
  (both those interviewed and those described)

Remember, your goal is to understand the situation from the perspective of the person being interviewed. For more information and tips on conducting interviews please download and read the following document:

"Anthropology and the Ethnographic Interview" by Nancy P. Chin, PhD

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Interview One
The first interview should be with a staff member who provides a service at your site. Ask the staff member to define and describe their job, the service they provide, how it benefits the clients, and how it helps to meet agency goals.

• How would they characterize the clients they serve?
• What are their clients 3 top needs?
• What are their clients’ 3 top strengths or assets?
• What are their main challenges in providing services?
• What do they wish they did better?
• What do they already do well?

Interview Two
The second interview should be with a client who uses your services. Ideally, the interview should not be done at the agency, but in the client’s own home or neighborhood (the local library, pizza store, park, etc. anywhere you and the client feel safe and comfortable). Tell them this is a homework assignment designed to better understand the people who use your agency.

Note the surrounding neighborhood:

• Is it ethnically diverse or not?
• Are the homes in good repair (e.g. well painted, broken windows, yards or gardens, etc.)?
• What services are available (e.g. large grocery stores, health clinics, department stores, churches, libraries, restaurants, clothing stores, etc.)

Ask clients:

• How many children do they have?
• What are their ages?
• What are their top 3 needs as mothers?
• How do they meet their needs?
• How do they meet their children’s needs?
• What are their main challenges and barriers to daily living?
• Are they happy with the service they receive at your agency?
• What do they wished the agency did better?
• What does the agency already do well?

Comparison and Discussion
Compare and contrast the responses from staff and clients. How are they different or the same? What could account for any discrepancies? What might you do differently at your site based on this (albeit, limited) information?

Write up a summary of each interview including your answers to the question listed above. Attempt to convey what you gained from these interviews. Submit your interview write-ups to your instructor for grading.