Course Three: Interview Preparation: Building the Foundation for Effective Information Gathering Estimated Course Time 20–30 Minutes Course Description: Effective interviews begin long before the first question is asked. This self-paced introductory course examines the essential principles of interview preparation, including defining interview objectives, reviewing available information, recognizing cognitive bias, organizing evidence, and creating an interview strategy. Grounded in evidence-based investigative practices and cognitive science, participants will learn how thoughtful preparation improves communication, supports ethical decision-making, and enhances the quality of information gathered during investigative interviews. A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successfully passing the course assessment. Designed for law enforcement, investigators, attorneys, human resource professionals, compliance personnel, workplace investigators, military personnel, students, and other interviewers, this course provides an evidence-based foundation for planning and preparing investigative interviews that promote effective, ethical, and scientifically grounded information gathering.