Conversation between two people that involves a
set of assumptions and understandings about
different situations which are not normally
associated with a casual conversation
Types
Unstructured
allows some control over the interview for both
interviewer and interviewee
can be difficult to plan
they can prove extremely
difficult to analyse
Structured
The interviewer has control
over the order of questions, all
of which are predetermined
There is an element of
predictability which allows the
event to be timetabled with
some precision
provide an easier framework for analysis
Semi-structured
The interviewer directs
the interview more
closely
More questions are predetermined
there is sufficient
flexibility to allow
the interviewee an
opportunity to shape
the flow of
information
Procedures
Draft the interview
The number, type and
format of your
questions
Pilot your questions
Piloting, or testing out, your questions
with a select few people in order to
establish their clarity
Eliminate ambiguous
questions as well as in
generating useful feedback
on the structure and flow of
your intended interview
Select your interviewees
The sample of
interviewees must
be representative
and sensible
Conduct the interviews
Very formal interview situations
tend to position the interviewer
in front of the interviewee
Interviewer and interviewee sitting
alongside each other, with any recording
device discreetly placed so as not to
intimidate or distract the interviewee
The researcher must begin by
introducing him or herself, outlining
the purpose of the interview and its
intended format and structure
To ensure effective communication has
taken place in relation to a topic or
question, it can be useful for the
interviewer to restate part or all of the
interviewee’s response
Analyse the interview data
Draw together the data collected
and structure them in such a way
as to make ready for analysis
Agrpate the responses to each question
from all interviewees to make
comparison between respondents easy
When analysing a large number of
interview transcripts it may be
necessary to utilise the functions
of computer-based tools
Data analysis
In small-scale work, this would typically
involve grouping the responses to each
question from all interviewees to make
comparison between respondents easy
When analysing a large number
of interview transcripts it may be
necessary to utilise the functions
of computer-based tools
The final stage of the interview process
begins by drawing together the data
collected and structuring them in such a
way as to make ready for analysis
Uses
Obteining detail
information about a topic
fundamental
research tool
Provides a great deal of advice
on framing questions,
organising and managing the
interview, and piloting