cognitive interviews

• principles


  1 . memories can be accessed in number of ways

  2 . memories are context dependent
• differences to standard interviews

  -no set questions

  -no time limit (so no pressure)

  -open questions

  -interviewer remains silent, won't interrupt

  -record proceedings & take notes

  -clarification & elaboration only sought when recall ended
• 4 techniques

  1 - reinstate context

  2 - change sequence

  3 - change perspective

  4 - report everything
• reinstate context

  -memories context dependent

  -context will bring up right cues
• change the sequence


  -ensure important details aren't missed out
• change the perspective

  -provides another 'route' to memory
• report everything


  -unrestrained details may bring up important details

  (even if seem useless)