Types of interviews

research methods

What are the 3 types of interviews:

structured

unstructured

semi-structured

stuctured interviews:

pre-determined questions ; fixed order

interviewer asks a question, and waits for a response

unstructured interview:

more like a conversation, with no set qs.

a general aim is discussed, or a certain topic, but the interview is free-flowing, with the interviewee being prompted to elaborate.

semi-structured interviews:

where a list of qs have been worked up in advance. however interviewers are free to ask follow-up qs based on interviewee’s answers.

evaluation of structured interviews:

straightfoward to replicate due to standardised format; the format also reduces differences between interviews.

not possible for interviewers to deviate from topic, reducing richness of interview, and limits unexpected information

evaluation of unstructured interviews:

more flexibility, as interviewer can follow up on points . can gain full insight of the view of interviewee.

increased risk of interviewer bias . analysis of data from these interviews are also less straightforward.

risk that interviewees may lie for social desirability - interviewers must have established sufficient rapport for more truthful responses