Qualitative Data Collection - Interviews

Question 1

Describe in depth interviews?

Answer 1

Loose structure, broad topic guide - the interview is guided by the interviewee’s answers.

Often chosen when not a lot if known about topic, when we don’t know what may be of interest or important.

Question 2

Describe a semi-structured interview?

Answer 2

More defined topic guide, a set amount of questions are covered but include prompts for more information - element of flexibility, not very prescriptive questions.

The researcher has a better idea of what they want to find out.

Question 3

Describe a structured interview?

Answer 3

Pre-determined, standardized set questions. Prescriptive, not usually used as a main tool in qual research, more quant.

Question 4

What is important to establish when conducting interviews to run a successful interview?

Describe elements of establishing rapport?

Answer 4

1. Rapport - important to the success of an interview.
   Good interpersonal skills, trust between interviewer/ee.

• Active listening, encouraging and non-judgemental responses from the interviewer
• Remain neutral - not giving own opinions.
• ask qu’s that demonstrate an understanding of the personal and social context within which you’re exploring a phenomena/topic
• Take into account cultural or social differences
• social distance when sensitive topics are being explored
• Not interrupting, eye contact, prompts.

2. Interview Setting - private vs public
3. Record the interview and transcribe it after
4. Good practice to take notes - short summary directly after interview
5. schedule a practical amount of interviews in a day - give time to take notes and conduct quality interviews
6. Pause recordings for emotional responses and ask if the person is ok to continue - ask at multiple points.

Question 5

Name some responsibilities of interviews during and after the interview?

Answer 5

• Avoidance of harm
• Ensure confidentiality
• Reciprocity and feedback results to the ee
• Anonymise participants

Question 6

What is the aim of interviews?

Answer 6

To generate data that will answer your research question

Question 7

Steps to developing a Topic guide?

Answer 7

1. start with general q’s - this orientates the person to the topic and allows the interviewer to see what type of language the ee uses. EG can you tell me about your working day? etc.
2. Ask open q’s. - rather than closed. Allow them to give an extensive answer. EG what was it like when x happened, Can you tell me about X?
3. Ask neutral q’s/ - not judgemental q’s - either good or bad.
4. Use everyday language - avoid jargon
5. Ask about specific incidents, not abstract ones.
6. Use diary q’s if needed - ie. a day in the life…
7. Can ask about critical incidents - ie the best and worst experiences can elicit what important to a person.
8. Can use free-listing - good in structured interviews ie. tell me all the causes of malaria?
9. Ranking - people can rank free lists