What approach ensures consistency when conducting interviews across multiple sites or departments?

• A. Let each site create its own interview style.
• B. Train only at headquarters.
• C. Use a standardized interview guide, central repository for notes, and cross-site training for investigators.
• D. Disallow cross-site sharing.

Answer: (C)

Consistency in interviewing across locations comes from a united approach that standardizes how interviews are conducted and documented, plus ensures everyone is trained to the same standards. A standardized interview guide means investigators across sites use the same questions, in the same order and with the same prompts, so the data you collect is comparable rather than shaped by each interviewer’s personal style. A central repository for notes keeps all documentation in one accessible place, making it easy to review, compare responses, and conduct cross-site analyses. Cross-site training reinforces these practices so investigators everywhere apply the same techniques, probing methods, and interpretation of responses. Together, this setup improves reliability, makes findings easier to aggregate across sites, and strengthens defensibility of the process.

Options that let each site create its own interview style introduce unwanted variation; training only at headquarters leaves field teams without ongoing, practical alignment; and disallowing cross-site sharing blocks the flow of learning and standardization that keeps practices uniform.