Interviews

Interviews

1. Definition

   • Way of obtaining detailed information about a topic or subject.
   • Are used where other research instruments seem inappropriate
   • They involve a set of assumptions and understandings about the situation.

2. Types

   • The unstructured
     • Very flexible approach.
     • Can be difficult to plan, they are difficult to ‘steer’
     • They can prove extremely difficult to analyse.
   • The semi-structured
     • There is less flexibility, the interviewer directs the interview more closely.
     • More questions are predetermined
     • There is sufficient flexibility to shape the flow of information.
   • The structured
     • The interviewer has control over the order of questions
     • May provide an easier framework for analysis.
     • Allows the event to be timetabled with some precision

3. Procedures

   • Analysing the interview data
     • Group the responses to each question from all interviewees to make comparison between respondents easy
   • Select your sample interviewees
     • Expect to interview all those associated or involved with the topic under scrutiny.
   • Pilot your questions
     • Test out your questions with a select few people in order to establish their clarity.
   • Conduct the interview
     • The physical organisation of your interview setting is an important part of the interview process.
   • Draft the interview
     • By broadly indic the questions which you’d like to ask.

4. Data analisist

   • The final stage of the interview process
     • Structure the data in such a way that it is ready for analysis.
     • Group the answers to each question from all interviewees
     • It may be necessary to use the functions of computer tools.

5. Uses

   • For those new to research
     • Uses as a research technique.
   • For the intermediate researcher
     • Use as a fundamental research tool where data searches for a particular focus on content analysis.
   • For the expert
     • It provides more depth and discussion of analytical techniques for exploring qualitative material