Self-report techniques (interviews)

Define interviews

a method in which a researcher collects data by asking questions directly. It’s a ‘live’ encounter with an interviewer and an interviewee, it can be face-to-face or over the phone/teams

What are structured interviews?

interviews made up of a pre-determined set of questions that are asked in a fixed order. All interviewees are asked the same questions

What are unstructured interviews?

interviews where there are no set questions. Only the first question is fixed, after that the conversation is more free-flowing and flexible to suit the needs of the interview. The interviewer probes and follows interesting responses.

What are the similarities between structured and unstructured interviews?

• both types of interview

• can be conducted face-to-face or over the phone

• can include both open and closed questions

What are semi-structured interviews?

a mixture of both structured and unstructured interviews. There is a list of questions that have been set in advance but interviewers are free to ask follow up questions where appropriate (e.g job interviews)

How do you design interviews?

• most interviews involve a schedule (pre-set questions) which should be standardised for each ppt to reduce interviewer bias

• interviewer may take notes or record interview and take notes later

• usually involve interviewer and interviewee, although group interviews interviews may be used

• it is good practice to start with neutral questions to make ppts feel relaxed and comfortable

• ppts should be reminded that their answers will be treated with the strictest confidence - ethical issues

What are the strengths of structured interviews?

• straightforward to replicate due to their standardised format

• reduces any investigator/researcher bias because questions are fixed

• easier to analyse responses than unstructured as everyone is asked the same question

• easy to train interviewers

What are the weaknesses of structured interviewers?

• interviewers can’t deviate from a topic or elaborate on their points and this might be frustrating for ppts too

• there is a chance interviewers might lie (social desirability)

What are the strengths of unstructured interviews?

• much more flexibility and the interviewer can follow up on points as they arise. Much more likely to gain meaningful insight

• skilled and experienced interviews can change the dialogue to build rapport (bond) with the ppt

What are the weaknesses of unstructured interviews?

• data analysis is not straightforward. Researcher might have to sift through irrelevant information and may struggle to draw firm conclusions

• there is a chance interviewees might lie (social desirability - though less than structured arguably