Course Three Interview Preparation: Building the Foundation for Effective Information Gathering Module 1 Preparing for Success Before the Interview Estimated Time: 10–15 minutes Module 2 Reducing Bias and Developing an Interview Strategy Estimated Time: 10–15 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 establishing interview objectives, reviewing available information, recognizing cognitive biases, organizing evidence, and developing a structured interview strategy. Grounded in scientific research and evidence-informed investigative practices, participants will develop a foundational understanding of how thoughtful preparation supports effective communication, ethical interviewing, and reliable information gathering. The course emphasizes the importance of distinguishing established facts from assumptions, recognizing potential influences on interviewer judgment, and preparing questions that facilitate accurate and complete reporting without unnecessarily influencing the interviewee's recollection. Designed for law enforcement officers, investigators, attorneys, aviation crew members and safety investigators involved in post-event debriefings, healthcare professionals, human resources and compliance personnel, workplace investigators, military personnel, students, and other professionals who gather or evaluate accounts of past experiences, this course introduces practical principles for preparing scientifically informed interviews across professional disciplines. A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successfully passing the course assessment.