Types of interview

Types of interview

1. There a number of types of interview that sociologists can use in their research, ranging from completely structured to completely unstructured. The difference between them lies in how freely the interviewer can vary questions, and the way in which said questions are asked.

2. Structured or formal interviews are very similar to a questionnaire: the interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the questions, and the interview is conducted in the same standardised way each time. Each interviewee will be asked the same questions, word for word, in the same order, the same tone of voice, and so on.

3. Unstructured or informal interviews are like a guided conversation; the interviewer has complete freedom to vary the questions, the order the ask the questions in, their wording, etc., from one interview to the next, pursuing whatever line of questioning seems appropriate at the time, and asking follow-up questions should they so desire.

4. Semi-structured interviews lie somewhere between structured and unstructured interviews. Each interview has the same set of questions, but the interviewer can also probe for more information, and additional questions can be asked where the interviewer thinks it relevant.