Interviews

Question 1

What is a structured interviews?

Answer 1

There is a fixed, predetermined set of questions that are given to every participant in the same way and order

Question 2

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 2

Like a casual conversation- no set questions
There is a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed- interaction is free-flowing
The interviewee is encouraged to expand and elaborate their answers as prompted by the interviewer

Question 3

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 3

The most likely to encounter in everyday life
Job interview is an example of a semi-structured interview
List of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are also allowed to ask follow-up questions bases on previous answers

Question 4

Strengths of structured interviews?

Answer 4

Straightforward to replicate due to their standardised format
The format reduces differences between interviews

Question 5

Weaknesses of structured interviews?

Answer 5

Not possible for interviewers to deviate from the topic or explain their questions- limits the richness of the data collected as well as limits unexpected information

Question 6

Strengths of unstructured interviews? (Flexibility)

Answer 6

Much more flexibility in an unstructured than in a structured interview
Interviewer can follow up points as they arise- more likely to gain insight into the deeper view of the interviewee- including eliciting unexpected information

Question 7

Weaknesses of unstructured interviews?

Answer 7

May lead to an increased risk of interviewer bias
The analysis of data from an unstructured interview is not straightforward- the researcher may have to sift through irrelevant information and drawing firm conclusions may be difficult
Risk that interviewees may lie for social desirability