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Interview in research
This document discusses various aspects of conducting qualitative interviews for research purposes. It defines key terms, describes different types of interviews including informal, general guide, and standardized interviews. It covers telephone interviews, training interviewers to reduce bias, preparing for interviews, and procedures for conducting and analyzing interviews. The goal of qualitative interviews is to understand participants' meanings and experiences on a deeper level through open-ended questioning and probes.
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Interview in research
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- 2. Definitions • The qualitative research interview seeks to describe and the meanings of central themes in the life world of the subjects. The main task in interviewing is to understand the meaning of what the interviewees say. (kvole, 1996) • A qualitative research interview seeks to cover both a factual and a meaning level, though it is more difficult to interview on a meaning level. (kvole, 1996) • Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind participant’s experiences. The interviewer can persue in-depth information around the topic. Interviews may be useful as follow-up to certain respondents to questionnaires e.g, to further investigate their responses. (McNarnara, 1999).
- 3. Aspects of Qualitative Researchinterviews 1. Interviews are completed by the interviewer based on what the respondent says. 2. Interviews are for more personal form of research than questionnaires. 3. In the personal interview, the interviewer works directly with the respondent. 4. Unlikely with mail surveys, the interviewer has the opportunity to probe or ask follow up questions. 5. Interviews are generally easier for respondent, especially if what is sought is opinions or impressions. 6. Interviews are time consuming and they are resource intensive. 7. The interviewer is considered a part of the measurement instrument and interviewer has to well trained in how to respond to any contingency.
- 4. Types of interviews • Informal, conversational interview – no predetermined questions are asked, in order to remain as open and adoptable as possible to the interviewee’s nature and priorities , during the interview the interviewer “goes with the flow”. • General interview guide approach – the guide approach is intended to ensure that the same general areas of information are collected from each interviewee: this provides more focus than the conversational approach, but still allows a degree of freedom and adoptability in getting the information from the from the interviewee.
- 5. Continue …….. • Standardized, open-ended interview – the same open ended questions are asked to all interviewees: this approach facilitates faster interviews that can be more analyzed and compared. • Closed, fixed response interview – where all interviewees are asked the same questions and asked to choose answers from among the some set of alternatives. This format is useful for those not practiced in interviewing.
- 6. Telephone interview • Telephone interviews enable a researcher to gather information rapidly. • Like personal interviews, they allow for some personal contact between the interviewer and the respondent. Disadvantages 1. Some people may have not telephones. 2. People often dislike the intrusion of a call to their home. 3. Telephone interviews need to be relatively short or people feel imposed upon. 4. Many people don’t have publicly listed telephone numbers.
- 7. Training of theinterviewer • Since the interviewer can control the quality of the result his/her training becomes crucial. • It is important to organize in detail and rehearse the interviewing process before beginning the formal study.
- 8. Points for interviewerTraining • Describe the entire study –interviewers need to know more than simply how to conduct the interview itself. They should have background of the study and why the study is important. • Explain the sampling logic and process –new interviewer may not understand why sampling is so important. They may wonder why you go through all the difficulties of selecting the samples so carefully.
- 9. Interviewer Bias • Interviewer needs to knows the many ways that they can inadvertently bias the results. • Understand why it is important that they not bias the study. • By slanting the results they might jeopardize the results or purpose of the study.
- 10. Preparation for interview • Choose the setting with the least distraction. • Explain the purpose of the interview. • Address terms of confidentiality. • Indicate how long the interview usually takes. • Provide contact information of the interviewer. • Allow interviewee to clarify any doubts about the interview. • Prepare a method for recording data, e.g. take notes.
- 11. Qualification Criteria forthe Interviewer • Knowledgeable – being familiar about the topic. • Structuring –outline the procedure of the interview. • Clear – simple, easy and short questions which are spoken distinctly and understandably. • Gentle –being tolerant, sensitive and patient to provocative and unconventional opinions. • Steering –to control the course of the interview to avoid digressions from the topic. • critical –to test the reliability and validity of what the interviewee talks. • Remembering –retaining the subject information from the interviewee. • Interpreting –provide interpretation of what is said by the interviewee.
- 12. Types of Topicsin Questions • Behaviors –what a person has done or is doing. • Opinions/values –what a person thinks about a topic. • Feelings –what a person feels rather than what a person thinks. • Knowledge –to get topics about the topic. • Sensory –what people have seen, touched, heard, tasted, or smelled. • Background/demographics –standard background questions, such as age, education, etc.
- 13. Sequence of Questions 1.Get the respondents involved in the interview as soon as possible. 2. Before asking about the controversial matters, first ask about some facts. 3. Interspersed fact based questions throughout the interview. 4. Ask questions about the present before questions about the past or future. 5. The last questions might be to allow respondents to provide any other information they prefer to add and their impressions of the interview.
- 14. Stages of interviewinvestigation • Thematizing –the why and what of the investigation. • Designing –plan the design of the study. • Interviewing –conduct the interview based on guide. • Transcribing –prepare the interview material for analysis. • Analyzing –decide on the purpose, the topic, the nature and methods of analysis that are appropriate. • Verifying –ascertain the validity of the interview findings. • Reporting –communicate findings of the study based on scientific criteria.
- 15. Procedure of theInterview • Occasionally verify the tape recorder (if used) is working. • Ask one question at a time. • Attempt to remain as neutral as possible. • Encourage the respondents. • Be careful about the appearance when note taking. • Provide transitions between major topics. • Don’t lose control of the interview.
- 16. After the Interview • Verify, if the tape recorder, if used, worked throughout the interview. • Make any notes on your written notes. • Write down any observations made during the interview.
- 17. Convergent in theinterviewing as Action Research • Each pair of the interview, including the review session immediately following them, constitutes an action research cycle. The review sessions interpret the data emerging from the interviews. • During the review session you also plan the questions which will give a better understanding of the situation. • The process and the sampling are checked. They can be modified in the following attempt.
- 18. Continue…… – There are two types of overlap in the themes and two corresponding • Types of probes: Agreements which were listed by seeking exceptions. Disagreements for which explanation are sought.