Purpose: To use one of the Research Methods to learn about Child Development from the perspective of the parent. In your textbook, in Chapter 1, you read about several Research Methods that included Observational Studies, Experiments, Case Studies and Surveys.
The Parent Interview Assignment is like a survey, a type of research. However, you are only going to interview one parent, not a group of parents. Your textbook says that surveys "are commonly used by sociologists, marketing researchers, political scientists, therapists and others to gather information on many independent and dependent variables in a relatively short period of time" (pg. 17)
It also states, "surveys can be designed in a number of ways. They may include forced choice questions and semi-structured questions in which the researcher allows the respondent to describe or give details about certain events. (pg. 18) For this Parent Interview Assignment, I'm giving you the questions to ask the parent, except for question #10. You will be the one to create an open ended question.
Directions for Parent Interview Assignment:
- Select one parent whether your own parents or any other parent with children of 6 years of age or older. You may interview a mother or a father.
- You can try to do the interview in person, Zoom, or facetime. Phone conversations, texting messages, and emails are not recommended because parents may feel uncomfortable to share such intimate details without seeing you (the interviewer).
- Include the following in your paper
◻ Cover sheet: Include your name, pseudo first names of parent and child, child's (or children's) age and gender - If parent is not comfortable answering some of the questions, please let them know they can skip the question(s).
- You may want to print or write the 10 questions down and use them during your interview with the parent. Explain to the parent that you are listening but will also be writing their responses down. Assure that the interview responses are part of your learning experience for this class and that you will use pseudo names for them and their child(or children) to protect their confidentiality.
- After you are done with the interview, transfer your responses to a word document or text box in the assignments page for submission.
Copy and paste the following template on a word document or text box in the assignments page for submission.
10 Questions and Answers Section (Include questions and answers to your responses)
1. How old were you when you had your first child?
2. What was the most difficult part of your pregnancy?
3. What did you read during your pregnancy that was helpful? What helpful tips did family and friends give you during pregnancy?
4. How long were you in labor?
5. Were your babies born on the expected due date?
6. What do you like most about being a parent?
7. What were/are the 3 biggest challenges as a parent?
8. What are the 3 most important things a parent can teach a child?
9. What advice would you give someone considering having a baby?
*10. Create an open ended question to ask this parent! (Create a question that requires more than a “yes” or “no”.)
1 Reflection Paragraph
Write 1 paragraph to include any reflection and reactions you experienced during the interview. (5 to 6 sentences)
- Questions to consider in your reflection (These are ideas to consider, you do not have to answer them all):
- How was your experience?
- How did you feel in asking these questions?
- How do you think the parent felt?
- What new insights did you gain from this experience?
- What were some of your reactions as you learned about the parent and their family?
