What are the interviews like?
We do casual and free-flowing audio-recorded interviews. As of 2022, we are conducting in-person interviews. For the bulk of our time together, we’ll have a conversation about your life and experiences growing up, how your community has changed in your lifetime, how you think it compares to other areas of Chicago, and what observations and thoughts you have about accents and languages spoken across Chicagoland, the Midwest, and the U.S. more generally. We’ll have topics and questions prepared, but we’re most interested in the aspects of your life and and the perspectives that you think are most important to share with us.
After the interview, we’ll also ask you to read aloud a short list of words that have distinctive pronunciations across the U.S. We also may ask you to tell us your thoughts about different areas of the city of Chicago using a map, and we may ask you to participate in a simple listening task where you’ll hear words and categorize them. All our procedures are approved by Northwestern’s Institutional Review Board (#STU00217266).
How long do your interviews take?
The interview portion will typically take from 40-90 minutes, all depending on how much you’d like to talk with us. Altogether, the post-interview tasks take no more than 10-15 additional minutes.
When and where do you conduct the interviews?
We are currently conducting our interviews in-person. You’re welcome to come to our campus in Evanston, or we can come pretty much anywhere in the Chicago area that’s convenient for you. We’ll find a date and time that works with your schedule, whether during business hours, in the evening, or during the weekend. One or two of us will meet with you for the interview.
What are your COVID policies?
We will provide you with any up-to-date policies following local public health guidance and ask about your comfort level when we contact you to set up an interview. As of Spring 2022, we are conducting interviews in-person. We will let you know if any other options are available when we set up the interview.
Will I be compensated for the interview?
Yes! Thanks to grant funding, all new participants are compensated. You will be given a $20 gift card after your interview. We are also happy to send you a copy of your audio recorded interview, if you would like!
Do I need to live on the Far Northwest Side currently to be interviewed?
No – if you grew up on the Far Northwest Side (specifically Jefferson Park, Norwood Park, Portage Park, Oriole Park or Edison Park) but currently live elsewhere in the Chicago area, we are still interested in your participation!
Do I need to live in the Chicago area currently to be interviewed?
Yes – we are currently focusing on people who have lived the majority of their lives in the city or suburbs of Chicago and have either current or past ties to the Far Northwest Side.
Will my information be shared?
Only if you agree to it in our consent forms, and never with your name or identifying information attached. While you may optionally allow us to share de-identified portions of your interview with other academic researchers and/or on our website, your name and other identifying information will never be associated with your recording when shared. You may also choose to redact any portion of the interview you would like.
How do I sign up?
When you fill out our online form to participate, you’ll be contacted by one of our research team members to set up a time and place and discuss further details.