Which practice best supports building rapport during pre-interview research?

• A. Confirm permission to use quotes and recording, discuss sensitivities, and obtain consent.
• B. Identify potential angles and prepare open-ended prompts.
• C. Schedule the interview after publication.
• D. Avoid discussing consent.

Answer: (B)

During pre-interview research, building rapport comes from shaping the conversation so the interviewee feels seen and valued. Identifying potential angles and preparing open-ended prompts does exactly that: it shows you’re considering the subject from the interviewee’s perspective and you’re looking for thoughtful, detailed responses rather than just yes/no answers. Open-ended prompts invite stories, examples, and feelings, helping the interviewee relax and engage more fully, and it also lets you follow up naturally, making the exchange feel collaborative rather than interrogative.

Ethical and logistical steps, like confirming consent or discussing sensitivities, are essential for fair, respectful interviewing, but they belong to the setup stage rather than how you build immediate rapport during pre-interview research. Scheduling the interview after publication is not related to rapport-building in the research phase.