Interviewing

Coombes, 2001, Research Using IT

Interview

• What do you want from the interview process?• Hitchcock & Hughes (1992:80)

Why interview? Where do I interview? Whom do I interview? When do I interview?

• Answer must be detailed focus on what you want from the interview

Types of Interview

Structured• Large number

of people• Quick & dirty –

short, to-the-point questions, yes/no answers

• Easier to analyze, compare and collate

Unstructured• Like a focused

chat• Only for the

experts• Or for those

who seek for ideas (“a pilot for ideas”)

Semi-Structured• Structured

interview + Supplementary

questions

Advantages & Disadvantages

IssuesStructured

Semi-structured

Unstructured

Large number of

participants?

Yes Yes, but more time

consuming

No

Large amount of

straightforward data?

Yes Yes, plus added data

No

More than 1 researcher?

Yes Yes More valuable data

if there is trust

Inexperienced researcher?

Yes Yes No, needs control of

conversation

Free flow of spontaneous

info gathering?

No Yes, but only in a controlled

way & to limited extent

Yes, but guidance is needed to

limit the data

Advantages & Disadvantages

Issues Structured Semi-Structured

Unstructured

Quick in completing individual

interviews?

Yes Yes No

Detailed notes? No, tick boxes is enough

No, except for added

data

Yes

In-depth information?

No No No

Piloting? Yes Yes Yes

Straightforward analysis?

Whatever methods of questionings, as long as you keep records and work

methodically, analysis will be straightforward

Who should be interviewed?

• Characteristics of the participants Articulate vs. not Two sides of perspectives Good relationship with researcher(s) Live within easy distance Not busy What they gain from the interview? Any ethical/moral issues? Anonymity?

• Large population sample/representatives

Tips for interviewing

• Body language (p. 102)

Tips for interviewing

• Reminder check list (p. 103)

How to question?

• Right question• Right timing• Right track• No leading questions

What do you like the most about the shoes?

What do you think about the shoes?• Too probing or too many questions

Defensive• Open vs. closed questions

Ethics

• Office of the human research• Guidelines on pp. 105-106

Informed decisions Psychological consequences of questions Professional advice from professionals, not

you! Privacy Parents’ or “loco in parentis” consent for

children subjects Confidentiality Anonymity Stress level

Additional methods to interviewing

• Diaries Time-consuming check w/ the

subject Record of actions Need clear instructions Careful design of questions

reduce unnecessary answers

Additional methods to interviewing

• TelephonesAdvantages Disadvantages

Less time-consuming than street interview

Not enjoying answering questions over the phone

Target focused or random selection

Bias

Easier to administer (no postage, etc.)

Additional methods to interviewing

• Email or Chatting

Accessing participants

• Top down vs. bottom up Top down – use authorities Bottom up – ask permissions

• Initial contact Build rapport No promises (what about payment?) Explain aims, show drafts, share

results• Organization of time, place, procedure

Recording the spoken word

Issues Tape-Recording

Jotting down

important points

Writing word for

word what is said

Respondent’s inhibition?

Yes, some people don’t

like their spoken

words taped

Less. Respondent can address

misunderstanding

Less. Respondent can address misundersta

nding

Off-putting method?

Yes, equipment presence

may affect

Less, as long as interviewer

attentive

Yes, interviewer will write

constantly

Straightforward transcribing?

Yes, but time

consuming

Yes, provided researcher has good memory

No, very time

consuming (bad

handwriting)

Recording the spoken word

Issues Tape-Recording

Jotting down

important points

Writing word for

word what is said

Accurate data?

Yes Beware of biased/false statements

Yes, provided it’s

well prepared

Quick method?

No No No

Uncomplicated analysis?

Whatever methods of recording, as long as you keep records and work methodically, analysis will be

straightforward