Interviews

Question 1

What are interviews?

Answer 1

Dominant method of data collection in qualitative research
Interaction between researcher and Participant

Question 2

Strengths of interviews

Answer 2

Gives participants a direct voice to twll researchers their attitudes etc
Allows researchers to directly reflect and ask follow up Qs to participants

Question 3

Reflexivity in interviews

Answer 3

Researcher must consider how they impact the data collected in an interview esp cos they directly talk to participant eg what questions they ask/ignore/follow up on

Question 4

3 types of interview

Answer 4

Structured
Semi structured
Unstructures

Question 5

Structured interviews

Answer 5

A verbal survey
Ps asked the same questions in the same order
May contain closed Qs - limited response

Question 6

Semi structured interviews

Answer 6

Researcher has pre decided Qs/topics they mean to discuss but also prompts + follow up Qs based on interesting ideas the P says
A more natural discussion guided by participant guiding it

Question 7

Unstructured interviews

Answer 7

Participants have complete control over the direction of the interview eg leading discussions
But the researcher just has pre planned topics and general topics

Question 8

Why would u choose structured interview?

Answer 8

Standardised
Gives everyone fair treatment
Quantify answers from closed Qs = mixed methods

Question 9

Why would u choose semi structured interview?

Answer 9

Flexibility - new ideas arise by Ps the researchers can pick up on
Yet researcher still has control over what topics get covered
Because the researcher has preconceived ideas on what should be discussed, can still lead Ps towards this and not on tangents

Question 10

Why would u choose unstructured interviews?

Answer 10

To find out Ps opinions on a very broad topic

Question 11

Reflexivity: structured

Answer 11

Researcher totally dictates discussion YET the influence of the researcher is limited fairly across all Ps
May influence more then because they (experiences, opinions) design the question list

Question 12

reflexivity: unstructured

Answer 12

Ps shape topics of discussion not interviewer, but the data collected will be more open to subjectivity thus more influence by researcher

Question 13

Reflexivity: semi structured

Answer 13

Researcher has influence on what they probe the interviewee on

Question 14

Topic/interview guide

Answer 14

Sets out topics and questions that will be asked about in the interview
Tool for interviewer to help cover all + collect enough data

Question 15

How topic guide is laid out

Answer 15

Table
Topics + questions in each topic
Depends on Ps and type of interview

Question 16

Good way to start interview

Answer 16

Start with a broad and easy question - relax Ps
Information sheets on ethics + reiterates key ethics points
Explain aim of study
Nothing surprises P as all is explained

Question 17

Making the topic guide

Answer 17

Preliminary considerations: type of interview, Ps, tailor questions in each topic to this
Create an outline: Sequence and topics covered, open with easy question
Create specific questions and include probes to get more detailed data

Question 18

When should sensitive topics be asked about?

Answer 18

After a rapport has been built

Question 19

Wrap up interview

Answer 19

Ask Ps if they have any questions
DO NOT TURN AUDIO RECORDER OFF

Question 20

Problem questions

Answer 20

Leading/biased questions: inserts researchers own judgement —-> leads to P not being honest
Asking too many questions at once

Question 21

Good questions

Answer 21

1 at a time
Short and simple
Not leading - no emotionally loaded vocab in the question
Open to lead to a long answer possibly
Polite

Question 22

Good way to probe

Answer 22

Requires active listening
Conversational, respond to what they say but not strictly follow research guide
Mindful of body language: uncomfortable???
Elaborate, explain, clarify details, give examples etc etc
Ask same question from different angles

Question 23

Finalising the topic guide

Answer 23

reflect and refine questions and test it on urself: how would other people perceive the question?
PILOT INTERVIEW
EDIT the guide and tweak it

Question 24

Interview tools

Answer 24

Recording device: audio or visual
Include photos, taken by P or by researcher
Walking interviews where researcher points certain things out to P

Question 25

Non verbal behaviour

Answer 25

Researchers should be okay with pauses when P reflects, pay attention to ur posture/clothing and how youre perceived Body langauge (eye contact etc) put Ps at ease

Question 26

Problems with interviews

Answer 26

People who talk too much People who dont talk enough Sensitive topics

Question 27

How to NOT approach interviews

Answer 27

Dont be content with shortanswers Dont force talking Dont judge answers Dont panic if going off topic Have no risk assessment

Question 28

After the interview

Answer 28

Notes in reflexive diary What went well and what did not