PRECISION INSIGHTS

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Source Interview Guide for Confidential Due Diligence, Market, and Political Research

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HIGH-QUALITY SOURCE INTERVIEWS

Precision Insights operates under strict ethical and professional standards following international law. We talk directly to people who have detailed, first-hand knowledge of what we are researching. We collect information that is not available in news, government documents, or public sources.

This guide explains how to conduct and submit source interviews for confidential projects, including market, political, and due diligence research. All quotes must be written exactly as the person said them. Interviews must be submitted by deadlines using the reporting templates we provide.

1. CORE REQUIREMENTS

To conduct interviews that meet our standards:

  • Talk only to people with direct, detailed knowledge—not general opinions

  • Record conversations when possible, or take detailed notes of exact quotes word for word

  • Ask for specific details: dates, amounts, names, what exactly happened

  • Ask follow-up questions when answers are unclear or vague

  • Keep all project details confidential

  • Complete work by agreed deadlines

  • Contact your mentor immediately if you have any safety concerns

Before each assignment, you receive a source list template, a reporting template for quotes, and support from a regional mentor. Mentors help with questions about expectations and how to complete the work but do not review or edit your work. An example of how to describe a source: Senior union official who advises government on mining partnerships, Owendo, Estuaire Province, Gabon.

2. PROJECT TERMS

  • Projects usually take 2–3 weeks and require 4–10 interviews

  • This is specialised freelance project work paid per completed assignment

  • Payment is sent weekly on Fridays

  • Use our invoice template for all payments

3. CONFIDENTIALITY & ETHICS 

All interviewers must:

  • Keep all project details and source names completely confidential

  • Never share interview content or findings with anyone

  • Interview as an independent researcher (not representing Precision Insights) to protect source confidentiality and ensure honest, detailed responses

  • Never mention this work on your CV, LinkedIn, or social media

4. PROHIBITED PRACTICES 

The following will result in termination:

  • Using information from news articles, reports, websites, or social media in your interviews

  • Summarising what sources said instead of using exact quotes

  • Changing quotes to make them sound better

  • Combining what multiple people said into one response

  • Representing one source as multiple sources

  • Inserting personal interpretation

  • Conducting interviews only through text messages, email, or WhatsApp messages

  • Using AI tools to write or improve content

  • Fabricating or altering any content

  • Sharing source names, client information, or interview content with anyone

Every submission is reviewed by independent reviewers and detection tools. Contact your project coordinator immediately if you have questions or face any problems.

5. ASSIGNMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Project Start

  • Review the project questions

  • Sign contracts for ethics and confidentiality

  • Receive source list template, reporting template, invoice template

  • Confirm understanding with your mentor before starting

Step 2: Source Selection

Submit your source list within 2 days. Each source must:

  • Have direct knowledge of the topic

  • Hold positions in government, industry, or organisations with relevant access

  • Be someone you can trust and interview

  • Be able to provide current, specific information

Good Example: Financial controller at XXX Mining Corporation with 13 years’ experience. Manages budgets and supplier payments.

Poor Example: Manager who knows about mining.

Step 3: Interviewing

  • Submit your first interview within 3 days of source list approval

  • Wait for feedback before continuing with more interviews

  • Complete all interviews within 2–3 weeks

  • Submit follow-up answers within 48 hours

Getting Specific Information

Ask questions like:

  • "Can you give me a specific example?"

  • "What exactly happened—and when?"

  • "How do you know this?"

  • "What was your role in this?"

Right: I reviewed 45 permit applications in March 2024. I approved 30 and rejected 15.

Wrong: The permit process is better now.

6. ANTI-CORRUPTION & ETHICAL CONDUCT

The following are strictly prohibited:

  • Offering payment, gifts, or incentives to sources for information

  • Promising any financial, reputational, or political benefits

  • Pressuring or coercing anyone to speak

  • Making unofficial payments to officials to access sources or information

If a source requests compensation, politely decline and immediately inform your mentor.

7. MENTOR SUPPORT STRUCTURE

Each interviewer is paired with a regional mentor who can:

  • Explain how the project works and what's expected of you

  • Answer questions about what content is not allowed

  • Offer advice on how to approach difficult-to-reach sources

  • Help with practical matters (invoicing, using templates)

  • Provide encouragement when you face challenges

Mentors do not review or approve interviews, nor do they suggest specific questions or content. Their role is strictly supportive.

8. INTEGRITY & PROFESSIONALISM

The information you collect helps clients make important decisions. Your honest, accurate reporting is essential to the value of this work.

Interviewer selection is conducted through our professional referral networks. If your background and location align with project requirements, a regional mentor will contact you directly when relevant assignments become available.