Imagine you’re about to interview for your research project, but you realize you need the interviewee’s written consent first.
Obtaining consent is a crucial step to ensure your interview process is ethical and legally sound.
But how do you write a consent letter that covers all the necessary details without overwhelming the recipient?
Crafting the perfect consent letter might seem like a daunting task, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll provide you with 15 sample letters of consent for interviews that you can use as templates or inspiration for your letters.
Sample Letters of Consent for Interview
Before we dive into the sample letters, let’s quickly go over what a consent letter for an interview should include:
- Purpose of the interview
- How the information will be used
- Assurance of confidentiality (if applicable)
- Voluntary nature of participation
- Option to withdraw consent at any time
- Contact information for any questions or concerns
With that in mind, let’s look at our first sample letter:
Sample Letter 1: Consent for a Research Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Research Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am writing to request your participation in a research interview for my study on [research topic]. The purpose of this interview is to gather insights and perspectives from individuals like you who have experience in [relevant field or experience].
The interview will take approximately [duration] and will be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time and location that is convenient for you. With your permission, I would like to audio record the interview for transcription purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by myself and my research team.
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time without penalty. If there are any questions you prefer not to answer, please let me know, and we will move on to the next question.
The information you provide during the interview will be used for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential. Your name and any identifying details will not be included in any reports or publications resulting from this study.
If you have any questions or concerns about this research or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
If you agree to participate in this interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to participate in the research interview as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to the opportunity to learn from your experiences and perspectives.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Affiliation]
Sample Letter 2: Consent for a Journalistic Interview
Subject: Interview Consent for [News Outlet/Publication]
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am a journalist working on a story about [topic] for [news outlet/publication]. I am writing to request your participation in an interview to share your insights and experiences related to this topic.
The interview will take approximately [duration] and can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time and location that works best for you. With your consent, I would like to record the interview for accuracy in my reporting. The recording will not be shared with anyone outside of my editorial team.
Your participation in this interview is voluntary, and you are free to decline to answer any questions or end the interview at any time. If you wish to provide information off the record or on background, please let me know, and I will honor those requests.
The information you provide may be used in my article, which is slated for publication on [date]. I will make every effort to ensure that your quotes and the context in which they appear accurately reflect your thoughts and opinions.
If you have any questions or concerns before or after the interview, please feel free to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to be interviewed for the [news outlet/publication] article as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. I appreciate your willingness to share your valuable perspectives with our readers.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/News Outlet]
Sample Letter 3: Consent for an Oral History Interview
Subject: Consent for Oral History Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am writing to invite you to participate in an oral history interview as part of the [project name] at [institution/organization]. The purpose of this project is to document and preserve the experiences and stories of individuals who [relevant background or experience].
The interview will last approximately [duration] and will cover topics related to your life experiences, particularly your [specific experiences relevant to the project]. The interview can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time and place that is most comfortable for you.
With your permission, the interview will be audio and/or video recorded for archival purposes. The recordings and transcripts will be stored in [repository/archive] and may be used for future research, educational projects, or publications related to [project topic].
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary. You may choose not to answer any questions or end the interview at any time. If you wish to restrict access to your interview or portions of it, please let me know, and I will work with you to ensure your preferences are met.
By sharing your story, you will be contributing to a valuable historical resource that will inform and educate future generations about [topic/experience].
If you have any questions or concerns about the oral history project or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
To indicate your consent to participate in this oral history interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to be interviewed for the [project name] oral history project as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this invitation. I am honored to have the opportunity to record and preserve your unique story.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Affiliation]
Sample Letter 4: Consent for a Job Interview
Subject: Consent for Job Interview Recording
Dear [Job Candidate’s Name],
Thank you for your interest in the [job title] position at [company name]. As part of our interview process, we would like to request your consent to record your upcoming job interview.
The interview will be conducted [in-person/via video call] on [date] at [time]. The recording will be used by our hiring team to review and evaluate your responses and qualifications for the position. Access to the recording will be limited to those directly involved in the hiring process.
Your consent to the recording is voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time before or during the interview. If you choose not to consent to the recording, it will not affect your candidacy or the hiring decision.
The recording will be stored securely in our company’s internal systems and will be deleted once the hiring process for this position is complete, regardless of the outcome.
If you have any questions or concerns about the interview recording or the hiring process, please feel free to contact me at [your contact information].
To indicate your consent to the recording of your job interview, please sign and date below:
I, [job candidate’s name], agree to have my job interview for the [job title] position at [company name] recorded as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to speaking with you further about this opportunity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Company]
Sample Letter 5: Consent for a Market Research Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Market Research Interview
Dear [Participant’s Name],
I am writing to invite you to participate in a market research interview on behalf of [company/organization]. The purpose of this interview is to gather insights and opinions about [product/service/topic] to help inform our [product development/marketing strategies/industry research].
The interview will take approximately [duration] and will be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time that is convenient for you. With your permission, I would like to audio record the interview for analysis purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by the market research team.
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time. If there are any questions you prefer not to answer, please let me know, and we will move on to the next question.
As a token of our appreciation for your time and insights, you will receive [incentive/compensation] for your participation in this interview.
The information you provide during the interview will be used for market research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential. Your name and any identifying details will not be included in any reports or presentations resulting from this research.
If you have any questions or concerns about this market research interview or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this interview, please sign and date below:
I, [participant’s name], agree to participate in the market research interview as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. Your insights and opinions are valuable to us, and we appreciate your willingness to share them.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Company]
Sample Letter 6: Consent for a Media Interview
Subject: Interview Consent for [Media Outlet/Program]
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am a producer for [media outlet/program], and I am writing to request your participation in an on-camera interview about [topic]. Your expertise and insights on this subject would greatly benefit our audience.
The interview will take approximately [duration] and will be recorded at [location] on [date] at [time]. The recording may be edited for length and clarity before airing on [media outlet/program] on [air date].
With your consent, portions of the interview may also be used in promotional materials for the [episode/program] and shared on our website and social media channels.
Your participation in this interview is voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time before the interview airs. If there are any topics or questions you wish to avoid, please let me know in advance, and I will respect those boundaries.
If you have any questions or concerns before or after the interview, please feel free to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this media interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to be interviewed for [media outlet/program] as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. We believe your participation will greatly enhance the quality and impact of our [episode/program].
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Media Outlet]
Sample Letter 7: Consent for a Student Project Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Student Project Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am a student at [school/university] working on a [class/thesis] project about [project topic]. I am writing to request your participation in an interview to gather insights and perspectives from individuals like you who have experience in [relevant field or experience].
The interview will take approximately [duration] and can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time and location that is convenient for you. With your permission, I would like to audio record the interview for transcription and analysis purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by myself and my [instructor/advisor].
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time without any consequences. If there are any questions you prefer not to answer, please let me know, and we will move on to the next question.
The information you provide during the interview will be used solely for my [class/thesis] project and will not be shared beyond the context of this academic work. Your name and any identifying details will be kept confidential in any presentations or papers resulting from this project.
If you have any questions or concerns about this project or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information] or my [instructor/advisor] at [their contact information].
If you agree to participate in this interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to participate in the student project interview as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. Your insights and experiences will be invaluable to my learning and the success of my project.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your School/University]
Sample Letter 8: Consent for a Podcast Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Podcast Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am the host of [podcast name], a show about [podcast topic/theme]. I am writing to invite you to participate in an interview for an upcoming episode about [episode topic].
The interview will take approximately [duration] and can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time that is most convenient for you. The audio from the interview will be recorded and edited for clarity and length before being released as part of the podcast episode.
With your consent, the podcast episode featuring your interview will be distributed on [podcast platforms] and promoted through the podcast’s website and social media channels. The episode will remain publicly available for [duration/indefinitely].
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time before the episode is released. If there are any topics or questions you wish to avoid, please let me know in advance, and I will respect those boundaries.
If you have any questions or concerns about the podcast interview or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this podcast interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to be interviewed for the [podcast name] podcast as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this invitation. I believe your insights and experiences will greatly enrich the conversation and provide value to our listeners.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Host of [Podcast Name]
Sample Letter 9: Consent for a Case Study Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Case Study Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am writing on behalf of [company/organization] to request your participation in a case study interview about your experience with our [product/service]. Your insights and feedback will help us showcase the impact of our offerings and identify areas for improvement.
The interview will take approximately [duration] and can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time that works best for you. With your permission, I would like to audio record the interview for transcription and analysis purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by the case study team.
The information you provide during the interview may be used in a written case study, which will be published on our website and shared with potential clients and partners. We will provide you with a draft of the case study for your review and approval before publication.
Your participation in this case study is voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time before publication. If there are any specific details you wish to keep confidential, please let me know, and we will ensure they are not included in the final case study.
As a token of our appreciation for your time and insights, we would like to offer you [incentive/discount] on your next purchase with us.
If you have any questions or concerns about the case study or your participation, please feel free to contact me at [your contact information].
To indicate your consent to participate in this case study interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to be interviewed for the [company/organization] case study as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. We value your partnership and look forward to showcasing your success story.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Company]
Sample Letter 10: Consent for an Expert Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Expert Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am writing to request your participation in an expert interview for an article I am writing about recent advancements in artificial intelligence for the magazine “Tech Insights”. Your extensive knowledge and experience in machine learning and natural language processing would provide invaluable insights for our readers.
The interview will take approximately 45 minutes and can be conducted via video call at a time that is most convenient for you. With your consent, I would like to audio record the interview for transcription and reference purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by the article’s editorial team.
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary, and you may choose not to answer any questions or end the interview at any time. If you agree to participate, you will have the opportunity to review the article before publication to ensure accuracy and provide any additional feedback.
If you are willing to participate, please let me know your availability for the interview. I would also appreciate if you could sign and return the attached consent form.
Thank you for considering this request. I believe your insights would greatly enrich the article and provide valuable perspectives for professionals in the field. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tech Insights Magazine
[Your Contact Information]
Sample Letter 11: Consent for a Documentary Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Documentary Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
I am a filmmaker working on a documentary about [documentary topic]. I am writing to request your participation in an on-camera interview to share your experiences and perspectives related to this topic.
The interview will take approximately [duration] and will be filmed at [location] on [date] at [time]. With your permission, the footage from your interview may be included in the final documentary film, which will be submitted to film festivals, distributed online, and potentially aired on television.
Your participation in this interview is voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time before the film’s release. If there are any topics or questions you wish to avoid, please let me know in advance, and I will respect those boundaries.
As a token of our appreciation for your time and contributions, we would like to offer you [incentive/compensation] and a copy of the completed documentary.
If you have any questions or concerns about the documentary or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this documentary interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to be interviewed for the documentary film as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. Your story and insights will play a crucial role in bringing this important topic to light.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Production Company]
Sample Letter 12: Consent for a Focus Group Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Focus Group Interview
Dear [Participant’s Name],
I am writing to invite you to participate in a focus group interview about [topic] on behalf of [company/organization]. The purpose of this focus group is to gather insights, opinions, and experiences from a diverse group of individuals like you to help inform our [product development/service improvements/marketing strategies].
The focus group will take place on [date] at [time] and will last approximately [duration]. It will be held at [location] and will include [number] other participants. With the group’s permission, the discussion will be audio and video recorded for analysis purposes. The recordings will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by the research team.
Your participation in this focus group is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time. If there are any topics or questions you prefer not to discuss, you may choose to remain silent or leave the room.
As a token of our appreciation for your time and insights, you will receive [incentive/compensation] for your participation in this focus group.
The information you provide during the focus group will be used for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential. Your name and any identifying details will not be included in any reports or presentations resulting from this research.
If you have any questions or concerns about this focus group or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this focus group, please sign and date below:
I, [participant’s name], agree to participate in the focus group interview as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. Your participation and insights are highly valued and appreciated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Company]
Sample Letter 13: Consent for a Follow-up Interview
Subject: Consent for Follow-up Interview
Dear [Interviewee’s Name],
Thank you for your previous participation in an interview for [project/study] about [topic]. Your insights and experiences have been incredibly valuable to our research.
I am writing to request your participation in a follow-up interview to dive deeper into some of the themes and ideas that emerged from our initial conversation. This follow-up interview will help us gain a more comprehensive understanding of [topic] and strengthen the findings of our [project/study].
The follow-up interview will take approximately [duration] and can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time that is most convenient for you. With your permission, I would like to audio record the interview for transcription and analysis purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by the research team.
As before, your participation in this follow-up interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time. If there are any new topics or questions you prefer not to address, please let me know, and we will respect your boundaries.
The information you provide during the follow-up interview will be used solely for our [project/study] and will be kept strictly confidential. Your name and any identifying details will continue to be protected in any publications or presentations resulting from this research.
If you have any questions or concerns about this follow-up interview or your ongoing participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
If you agree to participate in this follow-up interview, please sign and date below:
I, [interviewee’s name], agree to participate in the follow-up interview as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request and for your continued support of our [project/study]. Your willingness to share your time and experiences is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Affiliation]
Sample Letter 14: Consent for an Anonymous Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Anonymous Interview
Dear Participant,
I am writing to invite you to participate in an interview for [project/study] about [sensitive topic]. Given the sensitive nature of this topic, I want to assure you that your identity will remain completely anonymous throughout the research process and in any resulting publications or presentations.
The interview will take approximately [duration] and can be conducted [in-person/via phone/via video call] at a time and location that is most comfortable for you. With your permission, I would like to audio record the interview for transcription and analysis purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by myself as the primary researcher.
Your participation in this interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time without any consequences. If there are any questions you prefer not to answer, please let me know, and we will move on to the next question.
To protect your anonymity, no identifying information will be collected during the interview, and any potentially identifying details will be removed from the interview transcript. In any reports or publications resulting from this research, your responses will be attributed to a pseudonym or a general descriptor (e.g., “Participant A” or “a 35-year-old woman”).
If you have any questions or concerns about this anonymous interview or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information]. Please note that contacting me via email or phone may compromise your anonymity, so feel free to reach out using a method that you feel comfortable with.
If you agree to participate in this anonymous interview, please sign below with a pseudonym or mark of your choice:
I, ______________________, agree to participate in the anonymous interview as described above.
Signature/Mark: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. Your willingness to share your experiences and insights, even anonymously, is incredibly valuable and appreciated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Affiliation]
Sample Letter 15: Consent for a Group Interview
Subject: Consent to Participate in Group Interview
Dear [Group Member’s Name],
I am writing to invite you to participate in a group interview about [topic] as part of [project/study]. The purpose of this group interview is to gather collective insights, experiences, and perspectives from [group description, e.g., “members of the local community garden”].
The group interview will take place on [date] at [time] and will last approximately [duration]. It will be held at [location] and will include [number] other participants from [group description]. With the group’s permission, the discussion will be audio-recorded for transcription and analysis purposes. The recording will be kept confidential and will only be accessed by the research team.
Your participation in this group interview is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent at any time. If there are any topics or questions you prefer not to discuss in the group setting, you may choose to remain silent or step out of the room.
The information you provide during the group interview will be used for research purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential. Your name will not be included in any reports or presentations resulting from this research, but please be aware that complete anonymity cannot be guaranteed in a group setting.
If you have any questions or concerns about this group interview or your participation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your contact information].
To confirm your consent to participate in this group interview, please sign and date below:
I, [group member’s name], agree to participate in the group interview as described above.
Signature: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Thank you for considering this request. Your participation and contributions to the group discussion are highly valued and appreciated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title/Affiliation]
Wrapping Up Letters of Consent
In this article, we’ve provided 15 sample letters of consent for various types of interviews, including research, journalism, oral history, job interviews, market research, media, student projects, podcasts, case studies, expert interviews, documentaries, focus groups, follow-up interviews, anonymous interviews, and group interviews.
Each letter template includes essential elements such as the purpose of the interview, how the information will be used, assurances of confidentiality (when applicable), the voluntary nature of participation, and contact information for questions or concerns.
Remember, obtaining informed consent is a critical step in conducting ethical interviews.
By using these templates as a starting point and customizing them to fit your specific needs, you can ensure that your interviewees fully understand what they’re agreeing to and feel comfortable participating in your project.
Happy interviewing!