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1. The interviewer should consider the interviewee as an individual rather than as a statistic or as just another source of data. Because the interviewee is an individual, he will have feelings, he will want to feel important, he will cherish his own ideas and beliefs, he will defend those ideas if he feels they are not accepted, he be cautious and at times even suspicious. 

2. The interviewer should assume the role of a neutral person. He has nothing to defend, no preconceived ideas as to what is correct or incorrect. He is not a judge.

3. The interviewer should take the attitude that he is not the expert--the expert is the interviewee. It is the interviewee who knows his field and the interviewer must rely on the expertness of the interviewee in order to obtain the data for this study. It is a mistake for an interviewer to attempt to show how much about flying he knows. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" is even more applicable in an interview with someone with years of accumulated knowledge.

4. The interviewer should be willing to let the interviewee take the responsibility for carrying on the interview. His attitude should be one that says, "You know more what to tell me than I do." The interviewer only decides the area by asking his questions, then directs his efforts at encouraging responses to the questions.

The Techniques of the Interviewer

1. Beginning the Interview. This is usually the phase of the interview which gives an interviewer the most difficulty. This is almost always because of the insecurity of the interviewer--not the interviewee. Often the interviewer feels that he must get the interview going smoothly right away and then feels uncomfortable when it doesn't. Most interviews will develop slowly. This is characteristic of almost any situation in which two people begin to establish a relationship. Consequently, the interviewer should strive to appear at ease himself, thus helping the interviewee to relax. It is important not to create the impression of haste or impatience. Some small talk at the beginning of the interview may be helpful. Also it is important for the interviewer to establish his identity and the purpose of the interview fairly soon after starting the interview. This should be done briefly, however, because a long-winded introduction can detract from the informality which the interviewer will want to create. Exactly how to begin this introduction will depend upon the local situation. For example, in this program it has not been possible for A.I.R. representatives to contact all the people who are to be interviewed. In most