Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to Relational Database Design

Participant Guidelines

• Make the participants aware of your intentions.

• Let the participants know that you appreciate their taking part in the interview and that their responses to the interview questions are valuable to the overall design project.

• Make sure everyone understands that you are the official arbitrator if and when a dispute arises.

Interviewer Guidelines

• Conduct the interview in a well-lit room, separated from distracting noise, with a large table and comfortable chairs, and have coffee and munchies on hand.

• Set a limit of 10 people or fewer for each interview.

• Conduct separate interviews for users and management.

• When you have to interview several groups of people, designate a group leader for each group .

• Prepare your questions prior to the interview.

• If you're not very good at taking notes, either assign that task to a dependable transcriber for each interview or get the group's permission to use a tape recorder to record the interview.

• Give everyone your equal and undivided attention.

• Keep the pace of the interview moving.

• Always maintain control of the interview.