Application
This unit describes the skills required to plan, prepare and conduct an interview to uncover information for a Defence publication. The unit involves interviewing an individual or a group to gather information to support or produce material for a Defence publication. Interviews can be conducted in person, over the telephone, by email or web cam.
This unit was developed for Defence reporters, but is applicable to anyone working in this field.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would mainly work independently, seeking assistance from superiors when needed. They would perform complex tasks in known contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare for the interview | 1.1 Research and document background information before the interview. 1.2 Seek guidance from a senior reporter or the editor on the most suitable person to be interviewed. 1.3 Establish time and place for the interview with the subject. 1.4 Set interview objectives and plan questions in advance, taking constraints into consideration. 1.5 Check equipment for serviceability. 1.6 Rectify and report any equipment faults, obtain replacement or take an alternative approach where faults cannot be rectified. |
2. Establish interview parameters with subject | 2.1 Identify own publication and provide necessary background information to the subject. 2.2 Seek permission to tape the interview from the subject. 2.3 Discuss and agree on relevant interview methods with the subject. 2.4 Discuss and confirm scope and length of the interview with the subject. |
3. Conduct an interview | 3.1 Tape relevant information about the interview where permission is granted. 3.2 Invite subject to expand key points, to present all relevant material or to clarify matters by asking questions. 3.3 Invite subject to provide information for future stories. |
4. Verify information as necessary | 4.1 Check and confirm details with the subject after the interview. 4.2 Provide transcript of the interview to the subject to check for factual accuracy. 4.3 Confirm accuracy of the information provided by asking other sources. |
5. Archive interview material | 5.1 Store interview transcripts as per publication policies. 5.2 Make archived material available only to approved people on request. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
taking notes from spoken and written sources
developing an interview schedule
negotiating interview by establishing a supportive environment
facilitating a formal oral interview, using a range of interactional strategies to establish, develop and maintain a relationship
exploring issues
gathering information on a topic
identifying and sourcing accurate and relevant information for a story
giving full regard to privacy, defamation, and reporting issues including gender, race, religion and disability
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
command of language structures, registers, vocabulary and idiom required in conversational exchanges
defence concepts of newsworthy information
interview techniques
sources for relevant background information
when information needs to be checked
security classification of information presented during the interview
ADF public affairs objectives and the characteristics of defence public affairs organisations
Defence News Editorial Board guidelines
Australian Journalists Association Code of Ethics
relevant legislation
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
General