Why are follow-up questions important in interviews?

Follow-up questions play a crucial role in interviews as they help clarify and expand on the information provided by the interviewee. This process is essential because initial responses may lack detail or specificity. By asking follow-up questions, an interviewer can elicit deeper insights, clarify ambiguities, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the interviewee's perspective. This enhances the overall quality of the information gathered, making it more useful for analysis and decision-making.

Moreover, follow-up questions show the interviewee that the interviewer is engaged and interested, which can help build rapport and encourage further sharing of relevant details. This can lead to a more thorough examination of the facts or feelings surrounding the subject matter being discussed, ultimately contributing to more effective interviews and yielding more reliable data.