Voltaire
I N T E R V I E W
P R E P A R A T I O N
“Judge others by their
questions rather than by their
answers”
Types of
Interviews
Structured
Unstructured
Semi-structured
Structured Interviews
- Follow a predetermined and standardized list
of questions. The questions are asked in
almost the same way and in the same order. - Question focused
Unstructured Interviews
- The conversation in these interviews is
directed by the participant rather than by set
questions. - Content focused
Semi-structured Interviews
- This has some degree of predetermined order
but still ensures flexibility in the way issues
are addressed by the participant. - Informant focused
Strengths of Interviewing
- To fill a gap in knowledge that other methods, such as observation, are unable to bridge efficaciously
- To investigate complex behaviours and motivations
- To collect a diversity of meaning, opinion, and experiences. Interviews provide insights into the differing opinions or debates within a group, but they can also reveal consensus on some issues.
- When a method is required that shows respect for and empowers those people who provide the data.
I N T E R V I E W G U I D E S
- A list of general issues you want to cover
- Usually associated with semi-structured
forms of interviewing. - May be a simple list of key words or
concepts intended to remind you of
discussion topics - Advantages in its flexibility
- Disadvantage is that you must formulate
coherent questions on the spot. - Requires good communication skills and a
great deal of confidence - Some suggest that it isn’t ideal for first
time interviewers - Oral history
I N T E R V I E W S C H E D U L E S
- A list of carefully worded questions
- Usually associated with structured, and sometimes, semi-structured
interviewing. - In some research it may be necessary to ask each question in the
same way and in the same order to each participant. - In others, you might ask questions at whatever stage of the interview seems appropriate.
- The benefits of interview schedules __________ the disadvantages of
interview guides and are; __________________
mirrors
- Greater confidence to the researcher
- Better comparisons between participants answers.
- Questions that are prepared before the interview and then read out
formally may sound insincere, stilted, and out of place.
F O R M U L A T I N G G O O D
I N T E R V I E W Q U E S T I O N S
- Use easily understood language that is
appropriate to your participant - Use non-offensive language
- Use words with commonly and
uniformly accepted meanings. - Avoid ambiguity
- Phase each question carefully
- Avoid leading questions as far as
possible (ex questions that encourage
a particular response).
T Y P E S O F Q U E S T I O N S
Primary Questions
Secondary Questions
Opening questions used to initiate discussion on a new theme or topic
Primary Questions
Prompts that encourage the
informant to follow up or
expand on an issue already
discussed
Secondary Questions
Different types OF primary and secondary questions
- Descriptive - describing something with a question (what do you look like, how many siblings do you have
- Storytelling - crafting a story of something through question (how did that happen?)
- Opinion- asking an opinionated question
- Structural - limited, pre-defined set of response options for respondents to choose from
- Contrast - compare and contrasting terms or ideas
- Devil’s advocate - asking a contrary or oppose a question / idea in order to further a question, ie . are you sure that would work in this sector?
Types of O R D E R O F Q U E S T I O N S
F U N N E L I N G
P Y R A M I D
F U N N E L I N G QUESTIONS
- Involves an initial focus ongeneral issues, followed by a gradual movement towards more personal matters and issues specific to the participant.
- The strategy allows for conversational development
towards more sensitive issues
P Y R A M I D QUESTIONS
- More abstract and general
questions are asked at the end - The interview starts with easy-to-
answer questions about a
participant or their involvement in
an issue
T Y P E S O F P R O M P T S
- Formal secondary question
- Clarification
- Nudging
- Summary
- Receptive Cues
Formal secondary question prompt
Extends the scope or depth of
treatment on an issue. Can also help explain/rephrase a misunderstood primary question
ie; Primary Q: What social benefits do you derive from
living in an area of ethnic concentration
Secondary Q: What about informal child- care?
Clarification Prompt
Used when an answer is vague or incomplete
ie; What do you mean by that?
Nudging Prompt
Used to continue a line of conversation
ie; And how did that make you feel?
Summary Prompt
Outline in-progress findings for
clarification
ie; so you want to do this in this way, and then finish with that
Receptive Cues Prompts
Encourages a participant to continue speaking
AUDIBLE & NON-AUDIBLE
ie
Audible: Yes, I see.
Non-audible: nodding and
smiling
STRUCTURED, SEMI-
STRUCTURED OR
UNSTRUCTURED.
INTERVIEW GUIDE OR
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE.
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
AND PROMPTS
FUNNEL, PYRAMID OR A
HYBRID ORGANIZATION
OF THE QUESTIONS.
Are all approaches and components of
I N T E R V I E W
D E S I G N
C H O I C E
