Question: Should I Interview Subjects With a Notepad or Voice Recorder?
Which method of note-taking ensures efficiency and reliability?
Answer: That depends on a few things:
- Your personal preference. Personally, I prefer old-fashioned note-taking. That way, I'm basically organizing the story as I take notes by highlighting key quotes and important information. (Though, like many journalists, I have handwriting that only I can read.) This comes, of course, with the occasional pen stains on my hands or handbag, but a good way to complement the standard 4x8 spiral-top reporter's notebook is with a spring-loaded ballpoint pen fed through the spiral coil. Just whip the pen out, click and write. Be sure to write all of your contact info on the notebook so that lost notes will find their way back to the right newsroom. Other reporters can't live without a tape recorder. Using what makes you feel comfortable goes a long way in efficiency and accuracy.
- Your note-taking skills. If your scribbling isn't quite up to snuff, you have problems keeping up or have been burned before by taking bad notes, it's best to use both the notebook and recorder. By later double-checking your handwritten notes vesus the tape, you can also track your progress in becoming a better note-taker.
- Your interview subject. Is this a highly important press conference or interview? Are you interviewing Deep Throat on his deathbed and want to keep every last detail of the interview on record? Bring a good voice recorder. Bear in mind that some subjects get nervous about being recorded, so even in big interviews you may have to revert to hand-written notes. Then again, other subjects will appreciate that all of their words were captured on tape, thus making it less likely they will be misquoted.