Interviews

Interviews

1. Semi-Structured

   • A mix between the two - Follows a general interview schedule but allows for probes questions and deviations if warrented
   • Strengths
   • Weaknesses
   • Applications/Uses

2. Structured

   • Essentially an interactive questionnaire - Follows interview schedule - So no further probe questions are allowed even if desired -> Produces large set of comparable data 
   • Strengths
     • Easy to replicate -> large sets of comparable information
     • Quick to condut
     • Less susceptible to researcher interference
       • Relying on the assumption that interview schedule was well thought-out and constructed
   • Weaknesses
     • Cannot ask further probe questions even if discovery warrants
     • Only generates quantitative data
       • Does not allow discovery of detailed subjective data about particular subject
   • Applications/Uses
     • Large scale qualitative data collection
     • When questionnaire results are sub-optimal and hence some researcher guidance is required

3. Unstructured

   • Discovery interview / guided conversation - Contains open-ended question allowing for detailed subjective information - Generates qualitative data
   • Strengths
     • More flexible -> if something interesting is discovered it can be pursued
     • Qualitative data -> allows respondent to talk in depth and provide nuanced beliefs
     • Improved Validity -> more opportunity to probe, giving deeper understanding, clarification, steer direction and confirm findings
   • Weaknesses
     • Time consuming to conduct and to analyse
     • Requires much more skill to conduct
       • More susceptible to bias
       • Need good rapport with subject to provide detailed response
   • Applications/Uses
     • Opportunity for new discovery of phenomena
     • Provide theoretical foundation for new scientific pursuit

4. Interview Schedule

   • Set of prepared questions to be asked the same way for every participant
   • Standardised Format
     • Same questions, in the same order -> Allows for reproducible, generalisable findings -> Can be used to demonstrate reliability in object being measured-> Demonstrate validity in the relationship between some objects

5. Question Sequence

   • Easy - Demographic type
   • Important -> Non-Sensitive
   • Important -> Sensitive
   • Validation -> follow up / confirmation
   • Move on to next subject / area and repeat

6. Focus Group

   • Several people involved in a discussion -> interesting findings are to do with types of interactions between participants as well as conclusions from discussion -> Researcher's role is to ensure all the group interacts and remains on topic
   • Strengths
     • Qualitative data -> open questions and participants talk in depth
     • Additional information regarding how participants choose manner of argument/discussion
     • Increased validity
       • Researcher influence is reduced
       • Participants may feel more comfortable / natural speaking with other participants rather than just speaking to researcher
   • Weaknesses
     • Discussion can go off topic -> requires intervention
     • Social pressure may cause pariticpants to lie or exaggerate
     • Heated / emotional discussion leading to people becoming distressed
     • Emergent Roles
       • Self Appointed Leader -> portray themselves as expert, can cause others to withdraw from discussion when both equally qualified
       • Dominant Talker -> preventing others from speaking, non-verbal signs of disinterest or disregard
       • Shy or Quiet -> needs more effort from research to encourage to engage
       • Bored / Restless -> may distract others or belittle aim of focus group
   • Applications/Uses
     • Understand how things are discussed -> not just what the conclusions are, but how they were arrived at

7. Conduct

   • Dress
   • Location
     • Lab
     • Natural Setting
   • Time
   • Interviewer Effect
     • Problem of minimising bias from interviewer -> from beliefs, expectation, bias
     • Sub-conscious signals can influence responses -> body language, demographic match / difference
     • Need to consider potential influencing factors when designing interview

8. Subjects

   • Friends/Familiar
   • Strangers
   • Vulnerable Groups

9. Ethical Considerations

   • Informed Consent
   • Withdrawal
   • Perceived as Medical Pro
     • Ask for help/diagnosis
   • Free from harm or distress

10. Online

11. Question Types

    • Throwaway - chatty, build rapport not for data collection
    • Essential - Covering topics being explored
    • Extra - Validation of findings from essential Qs
    • Probing
      • Elaboration -> Something of interest noted, indicated -> choose to investigate
      • Clarification -> Encourage follow up -> give more detail / explanation
      • Detail - oriented -> follow up issues that could do with more information