Interviews

Question 1

What are interviews and what types are there?

Answer 1

= a live encounter where a set of QUs are asked to assess a person’s thoughts or experiences

Can be…

Structured

Unstructured

Or semi- structured

Question 2

What are structured interviews?

Answer 2

• a pre- determined set of QUs

• asked in fixed order

• similar to questionnaires but face to face

Question 3

What are unstructured interviews?

Answer 3

• works like a conversation

• no set QUs

• general aim discussed

• interviewee is encouraged to expand answers and is prompted by interviewer

Question 4

What are semi- structured interviews?

Answer 4

• list of pre- determined QUs

• free to ask follow up QUs

Question 5

How to design interviews

Answer 5

• Needs schedule to reduce interviewer bias

• Should be in quiet room away from others to increase likelihood of opening up

• Start with neutral QUs to make them relaxed + comfortable

• Must be confidential as some QUs sensitive

• Clarity is key 🗝 without, it negatively impacts quality of design

• Must avoid most common errors:

• Overuse of jargon
• Emotive lang + leading QUs
• Double- barrelled QUs and double negatives

Question 6

Are the 3 interview types reliable?

Answer 6

STRUCTURED: YES, set schedule so standardised

UNSTRUCTURED: NO, no set schedule so not standardised

SEMI- STRUCTURED: BOTH, some follow schedules others don’t

Question 7

Do the 3 interview types have interviewer bias?

Answer 7

STRUCTURED:
LOW as following standardised schedule so impact reduced

UNSTRUCTURED:
HIGH as no standardised schedule so impact on answers increase

SEMI- STRUCTURED:
MIXED if follow schedules, then decreases
If asks follow up QUs than impact on answers increases

Question 8

Are the 3 interview types valid?

Answer 8

STRUCTURED: YES the interviewer will measure what intended to
but no additional info from PPTS = less valid

UNSTRUCTURED: NOT measure what intended to
But additional info= more valid

SEMI- STRUCTURED: SHOULD BE as much as possible
QUs asked should have all needed info

Question 9

How is data analysis for 3 interview types?

Answer 9

STRUCTURED: STRAIGHTFORWARD as only have info needed- easier to draw conclusions

UNSTRUCTURED: COMPLICATED as will have to choose relevant info to draw conclusions

SEMI- STRUCTURED: MIXED straightforward info from unstructured QUs = hard to draw conclusions

Question 10

Do the 3 interview types have a social desirability bias?

Answer 10

STRUCTURED: A risk the interviewees lie -as they have to follow standardised QUs, so less opportunity to ask if lying

UNSTRUCTURED: They may lie but follow up QUs, but skilled resaercher will establish rapport+ gain info if lying

SEMI- STRUCTURED: interviewees may lie, but cam ask if lying

Question 11

Compare questionnaires and interviews

Answer 11

QUESTIONNAIRES:
•Easy to analyse
•Large No. of PPTS

INTERVIEW:
• Creates rapport between researcher and interviewer
• Encouraged to elaborate responses

BOTH:
• Qualitative data
• Formal Structure