FAQs about the Interview
At the moment, information about the interviews is still fairly limited. These FAQs will be added to as soon as more information becomes available.
What is the purpose of an interview?
The interview explores your personal interpretations in more depth than the survey. It's a conversation about your experience as a reader.
Who will conduct the interview?
Janieke (the researcher). If a research assistant joins, we’ll tell you in advance and you can say no if you prefer.
What happens in an interview?
We talk about books you've read, about the teen and adult characters and their relationships, and about your reading experiences. It will be semi-structured and relaxed: I have an interview guide with some questions, but I'm mostly just very interested in what you want to talk about. So you can guide the conversation, too.
How long does an interview take?
Usually about one hour. If you have a lot to say and you’d like to keep going (and have time), we can continue if you want.
Do I need to prepare?
No special preparation needed. We’ll talk about books/series that you have already read, and you may be asked to read short excerpts during the interview.
Where does the interview take place?
You choose whether your interview will take place online or in person.
- Online: interviews take place on Micorsoft Teams. You will receive an email invitation.
- In person: usually in a room at Ghent University (Blandijnberg 2). We’ll discuss the exact location with you.
Will the interview be recorded?
Yes, audio only. We record the interview so we can transcribe your answers and the questions accurately.
Your name is never used in transcripts (we use pseudonyms), and audio files are stored securely and kept only as long as needed.
Can I skip questions?
Yes. You can always ask me to skip a question or move on to a different topic.
What if I become uncomfortable?
You're in control: you can pause, skip, or stop at any time. I can also provide different excerpts, move on to a different topic, etc. You are in control.
What if I interpret the text differently than others?
That's completely fine. There are no right or wrong answers. Your unique thoughts, experiences, and interpretations are valuable, even (or especially!) if they differ from ‘common’ or traditional readings.
What if I need accommodations or support?
Of course, we’ll do our best to make it happen. Just tell us what you need (extra time, captions, support person nearby, etc.).
Can I sign up for the interview if I haven't done the survey?
Yes, you can, but it's not recommended. The survey helps orient you towards the interview, so you already have an idea of what we are looking to talk about, what type of questions to expect, and what questions won’t be asked in the interview. You can send an email to readingmentors@ugent.be to express interest in an interview.
Can I review my transcript before they’re used?
Yes. On request, you can review your interview transcript. You can ask for corrections, changes, or removal. Just email readingmentors@ugent.be or tell us before the start of the interview so we can make a note.