How to Cite an Interview in Chicago Format

Understanding Interview Citations in Chicago

Interviews are valuable primary sources that provide direct knowledge and perspectives from subject matter experts, historical figures, or research participants. Chicago style provides guidelines for citing both personal interviews you conduct and published interviews found in various media.

Basic Personal Interview Citation Format

The standard Chicago format for personal interviews is: Interviewee Last Name, First Name. “Interview Title.” Method of Communication. Date.

Include the interviewee’s name, interview title or description in quotation marks, how the interview was conducted, and the date.

In-Person Interview

A standard personal interview citation:

Smith, John. “Interview with the author concerning climate change solutions.” In-person interview. March 15, 2024.

Phone Interview

For interviews conducted by telephone:

Johnson, Maria. “Interview about renewable energy innovations.” Phone interview. March 14, 2024.

Email Interview

For email correspondence that constitutes an interview:

Williams, David. “Interview regarding technology trends.” Email interview. March 13, 2024.

Video Call Interview

For interviews conducted via Zoom or similar platforms:

Rodriguez, Anna. “Interview on leadership challenges.” Zoom interview. March 12, 2024.

Published Interview Citation

For interviews that appear in published sources:

Smith, John. “Climate Change and the Future.” Interview by Jane Doe. Environmental Quarterly, vol. 15, no. 2, 2024, pp. 45-67.

Include the interviewer’s name, the publication title in italics, and publication details.

Interview in a Book

For interviews compiled in edited volumes:

Garcia, Miguel. “Interview: Global Economic Trends.” Interview by Robert Thompson. In Perspectives on Economics, edited by Sarah Williams, Academic Press, 2024, pp. 234-256.

Include the book title, editor information, and page numbers.

Interview in Footnotes

In Chicago style, first citation in a footnote:

1. John Smith, “Interview with the author concerning climate change solutions,” in-person interview, March 15, 2024.

Shortened form in subsequent footnotes:

2. Smith, “Interview.”

Podcast Interview Citation

For interviews published as podcasts:

Brown, Michael. “Interview: The Future of Technology.” Interview by Susan Garcia. Tech Talk Daily, episode 45, March 10, 2024, https://techtalkdaily.com/episodes/45.

Include the podcast name, episode number, and URL.

Video Interview Online

For interviews accessible online:

Wilson, Patricia. “Interview: Healthcare Innovation.” Interview by James Lee. YouTube. March 8, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example.

Include the platform, date, and complete URL.

Interview Transcript

If citing a transcript:

Anderson, Tom. “Interview: Education Policy.” Interview by Rebecca Jones. Transcript. March 6, 2024.

Note when you’re citing a transcript rather than audio or video.

Confidential or Anonymous Interview

For interviews with anonymity requirements:

Anonymous, “Interview regarding [topic],” in-person interview, March 15, 2024.

Use “Anonymous” or a pseudonym if the interviewee requested confidentiality.

Examples for Different Interview Types

Academic Expert Interview

Professor Chen, David. “Interview regarding quantum computing research.” Phone interview. March 15, 2024.

Corporate Executive Interview

Smith, Jennifer. “Interview: Future of Technology at TechCorp.” Interview by Michael Johnson. Business Today, March 2024, pp. 34-45.

Historical Interview

Roosevelt, Eleanor. “The Future of Democracy.” Interview by journalist. Life Magazine, 1943, pp. 56-67.

Archival Interview

Kennedy, Robert. “Civil Rights Movement Reflections.” Recorded interview. Oral History Archive, March 1964.

Using GenText for Interview Citations

GenText streamlines interview citation in Chicago format by organizing interviewee information, dates, and publication details. The tool ensures consistent formatting across your citations.

Reference List Formatting

In Chicago style, interviews appear in the bibliography or selected interviews can be listed in-text/in-footnotes primarily.

Common Citation Elements

Essential elements for interview citations:

• Interviewee’s name
• Interview title or description
• Method of communication
• Date of interview
• For published interviews: publication information
• For online interviews: URL

Common Citation Mistakes

• Missing interview method: Always specify how the interview was conducted.
• Incomplete date information: Include the complete date (March 15, 2024).
• Missing publication details: For published interviews, include full source information.
• Inconsistent formatting: Use consistent quotation marks and formatting.

When to Cite Interviews

Interview citations are important for:

• Qualitative research
• Personal narratives and oral history
• Expert commentary and perspectives
• Primary source documentation
• Research participant perspectives

Recording and Consent

Before citing interviews, ensure you have consent from the interviewee. Many institutional review boards require documented permission for interview research.

By following Chicago guidelines for interview citations, you properly acknowledge your sources and maintain transparency about how you gathered information.