Interview Toolkit for Master's Thesis
This document compiles all necessary materials for conducting the semi-structured
interviews for your Master's Thesis, including the interview guide, participant
recruitment strategy, informed consent form, and a detailed explanation of the data
analysis and coding system.
Semi-Structured Interview Guide
1. Introduction
This semi-structured interview guide is designed to gather in-depth qualitative data
from urban residents regarding their experiences, perceptions, and challenges
related to furniture mobility, durability and sustainability. The insights gained will
validate and refine the theoretical requirements identified in Part I of the thesis and
inform the development of a functional and sustainable furniture design concept.
2. Interview Objectives
The primary objectives of these interviews are to:
• Understand the real-world experiences and pain points of urban residents
concerning furniture in the context of high residential mobility and limited
space.
• Explore user preferences and needs for furniture characteristics that support
adaptability, portability and longevity.
• Investigate the factors influencing furniture acquisition, use, relocation and
disposal decisions.
• Gather insights into emotional attachments to furniture and perceptions of
sustainability.
• Identify specific obstacles and opportunities for innovative furniture design.
3. Key Themes and Example Questions
The interviews will be structured around several key themes, allowing for flexibility to
explore emergent topics while ensuring comprehensive coverage of the research
objectives. The questions provided below are examples and will be adapted based
on the flow of the conversation and participant responses.
Theme 1: Residential Mobility and Lifestyle
• Can you tell me about your living situation and how often you move
residences?
• How would you describe your lifestyle in an urban environment? (e.g.,
transient, settled, minimalist)
• How does your residential mobility influence your choices when it comes to
furniture?
• What are the main reasons for your frequent relocations?
Theme 2: Furniture Acquisition and Use
• When you need new furniture, where do you typically look for it? (e.g., new
stores, second-hand markets, online platforms)
• What factors are most important to you when purchasing furniture? (e.g.,
price, aesthetics, durability, functionality, sustainability)
• How long do you typically keep a piece of furniture? What influences this
duration?
• Do you ever consider the future mobility or adaptability of furniture when you
buy it? If so, how?
Theme 3: Challenges with Furniture Mobility
• Can you describe your experiences with moving furniture between
residences? What were the biggest challenges?
• How do you typically transport furniture when you move? (e.g., public
transport, car-sharing, delivery services, friends/family)
• What are the physical or logistical obstacles you encounter when moving
furniture? (e.g., weight, size, assembly/disassembly, building access)
• Have you ever had to discard furniture because it was too difficult or costly to
move? Please elaborate.
Theme 4: Furniture Durability and Material Aspects
• What does "durable furniture" mean to you? Can you give examples of
furniture you consider durable or not durable?
• Have you experienced furniture breaking or failing prematurely? What do you
think caused this? (e.g., material quality, construction, repeated
assembly/disassembly)
• What are your perceptions of different furniture materials (e.g., solid wood,
particleboard, MDF) in terms of durability and sustainability?
• How important is it to you that furniture can be repaired or maintained?
Theme 5: Space Constraints and Adaptability
• How do space constraints in urban living affect your furniture choices and
arrangements?
• Do you own any furniture that can be reconfigured, expanded, or easily
stored? What are your thoughts on such designs?
• How important is it for your furniture to be adaptable to different room layouts
or functions?
• Can you provide examples of how your furniture has either adapted well or
poorly to changes in your living space?
Theme 6: Sustainability and Circular Economy
• How important is sustainability to you when considering furniture? What
aspects of sustainability are most relevant? (e.g., material origin, recyclability,
environmental impact)
• Are you familiar with the concept of a "circular economy" in relation to
furniture? If so, what are your thoughts?
• Would you be willing to pay more for furniture that is designed for longevity,
repairability, or easy recycling?
• What are your thoughts on the "fast furniture" phenomenon? How does it
influence your purchasing decisions?
Theme 7: Emotional Attachment and Value
• Do you have any furniture pieces that hold sentimental value for you? What
makes them special?
• How does emotional attachment influence your decision to keep, move, or
discard furniture?
• Beyond functionality, what other qualities make a piece of furniture valuable to
you?
4. Concluding Remarks
• Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experiences with
furniture or your thoughts on future furniture design?
• Do you have any questions for me?
Thank you for your time and valuable insights!
Participant Recruitment Strategy
1. Introduction
This document outlines the strategy for recruiting participants for the semi-structured
interviews. The goal is to secure a diverse and representative sample of urban
residents whose experiences are relevant to the research objectives concerning
furniture mobility, durability, and sustainability in urban living contexts.
2. Target Participant Profile
Participants will be selected based on the following criteria to ensure their
experiences are pertinent to the study:
• Geographic Location: Residents of urban areas, with a primary focus on
Linz, Upper Austria, to align with the thesis's local context.
• Residential Mobility: Individuals who have experienced at least two
residential moves within the last five years. This criterion ensures participants
have recent and relevant experiences with furniture relocation.
• Transportation Reliance: Individuals who primarily rely on public transport,
cycling, car-sharing services, or do not own a private vehicle, as these
individuals are most likely to face the logistical challenges central to this
research.
• Living Situation: Renters or young professionals living in micro-apartments
or compact living spaces (e.g., less than 60m²), as these demographics are
often most affected by space constraints and transient lifestyles.
• Age Range: Adults aged 18-45, representing a demographic likely to
experience higher residential mobility and engagement with contemporary
furniture consumption patterns.
3. Recruitment Channels and Methods
A multi-channel approach will be employed to reach potential participants,
maximizing outreach and diversity within the target profile.
3.1 Online Platforms and Social Media
• University Forums/Groups: Posting recruitment notices on relevant
university student forums, particularly those associated with design,
architecture, urban planning, or social sciences departments in Linz (e.g., JKU
Linz, Kunstuniversität Linz). This targets students and young professionals
who often experience high residential mobility.
• Local Community Groups: Sharing recruitment messages in local Linz-
specific Facebook groups, Reddit communities (e.g., r/Linz), or other online
forums focused on urban living, sustainability, or second-hand markets. This
can reach a broader demographic of urban residents.
• Housing/Rental Platforms: Collaborating with local rental agencies or online
housing platforms (if feasible and ethical) to disseminate recruitment
information to tenants in compact living spaces.
3.2 Physical Notices
• University Campuses: Placing flyers or posters on notice boards at
universities, student housing facilities, and common areas in Linz.
• Community Centers/Libraries: Distributing recruitment materials in local
community centers, public libraries, or co-working spaces frequented by the
target demographic.
3.3 Snowball Sampling
• Referrals: Encouraging initial participants to refer other individuals who meet
the recruitment criteria. This method is particularly effective for reaching niche
populations and can help build trust within the participant pool.
4. Recruitment Message Content
The recruitment message will be clear, concise, and engaging, highlighting the
purpose of the study and the value of participant contributions. It will include:
• A brief overview of the research topic (sustainable, transportable furniture for
urban living).
• An explanation of what participation entails (a 45-60 minute semi-structured
interview).
• Eligibility criteria (e.g., living in Linz, recent moves, reliance on public
transport).
• Information on confidentiality and data usage.
• Contact details for expressing interest and scheduling an interview.
• Any incentives for participation (e.g., small honorarium, gift card, or entry into
a draw).
5. Screening Process
Potential participants will undergo a brief screening process (e.g., a short online
questionnaire or a preliminary phone call) to confirm their eligibility based on the
outlined criteria before scheduling the full interview. This ensures that the collected
data is relevant to the research questions.
6. Ethical Considerations
All recruitment activities will adhere to ethical guidelines, ensuring transparency,
voluntary participation, and respect for privacy. The recruitment message will clearly
state that participation is voluntary and that participants can withdraw at any time
without penalty. Prior to the interview, all participants will be provided with an
informed consent form to review and sign.
Informed Consent Form for Interview Participants
Study Title:
Designing Sustainable, Transportable Furniture: Integrating Woodworking and
Modern Manufacturing for Urban Lifestyles in Upper Austria
Principal Investigator:
[Your Name/Student ID]
Supervisor:
Prof. (FH) Dipl.-Des. Dr. techn. Markus Kretschmer
Institution:
[Your University/Department]
1. Introduction
You are invited to participate in a research interview as part of a Master's Thesis
project. This form provides you with information about the study. Please read it
carefully and ask any questions you may have before deciding whether to
participate. Your participation is entirely voluntary.
2. Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences, perceptions, and
challenges faced by urban residents regarding furniture mobility, durability, and
sustainability. Your insights will help in developing a new furniture design concept
that better meets the needs of modern urban lifestyles, particularly in contexts of
high residential mobility and limited living spaces.
3. What will I be asked to do?
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to take part in a semi-structured
interview. The interview will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will be conducted
[e.g., in person at a mutually agreed-upon location, via video call (e.g., Zoom/Google
Meet), or by phone]. During the interview, you will be asked questions about your
living situation, experiences with furniture, challenges related to moving furniture,
and your views on sustainable design. With your permission, the interview will be
audio-recorded to ensure accuracy in transcription and analysis.
4. Confidentiality and Anonymity
Your participation in this study is confidential. This means that your identity will not
be revealed in any reports or publications resulting from this research. All information
you provide will be anonymized. Your name will not be associated with your
responses, and any identifying details will be removed from transcripts and research
outputs. Audio recordings will be stored securely on a password-protected device
and will be deleted upon completion of the thesis (expected by [Month, Year]). Only
the research team (Principal Investigator and Supervisor) will have access to the raw
data.
5. Voluntary Participation and Right to Withdraw
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. You are free to decline to
participate or to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty
or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. If you choose to withdraw, any
data collected from you up to that point will be destroyed.
6. Risks and Benefits
There are no foreseeable risks associated with participating in this interview beyond
those encountered in everyday life. While there are no direct personal benefits to you
for participating, your insights will contribute significantly to understanding the
challenges of urban furniture and informing the development of more sustainable
and user-friendly designs.
7. Data Storage and Use
All research data, including interview transcripts and audio recordings, will be stored
securely on [e.g., a password-protected university server, encrypted hard drive]. The
data will be used solely for the purpose of this Master's Thesis and may be used in
future academic publications or presentations, always in an anonymized and
aggregated form.
8. Contact Information
If you have any questions about this research, please feel free to contact:
Principal Investigator: [Your Email Address]
Supervisor: [Supervisor's Email Address]
9. Consent Statement
I have read the information provided above. I have had the opportunity to ask
questions and have received satisfactory answers. I understand that my participation
is voluntary and that I can withdraw at any time. I consent to participate in this
research interview and agree to have the interview audio-recorded.
Participant's Name (Printed): _________________________________________
Participant's Signature: _________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________
Researcher's Name (Printed): _________________________________________
Researcher's Signature: _________________________________________
Date: _________________________________________
Data Analysis and Coding System for Semi-
Structured Interviews
1. Introduction
This document provides a detailed guide for analyzing the qualitative data collected
from the semi-structured interviews. The primary method for analysis will be
Thematic Analysis, a flexible yet rigorous approach for identifying, analyzing, and
reporting patterns (themes) within qualitative data [1]. This method is particularly
suitable for exploring experiences, perceptions, and meanings, aligning well with the
objectives of this research.
2. Overview of Thematic Analysis
Thematic analysis involves a systematic process of familiarization with the data,
generation of initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and
naming themes, and finally, producing the report [1]. It allows for both deductive
(theory-driven) and inductive (data-driven) approaches to coding, which will be
combined in this study.
3. Step-by-Step Coding Process
Step 1: Transcription of Interviews
• Action: All audio-recorded interviews must be transcribed verbatim. This
means typing out every word spoken by both the interviewer and the
participant, including pauses, hesitations, and non-verbal cues that might be
relevant (e.g., laughter, sighs).
• Rationale: Verbatim transcription ensures accuracy and allows for a deep
immersion in the data during subsequent analysis. It also creates a textual
dataset that can be easily managed and coded.
• Tools: Transcription can be done manually, or using automated transcription
services (e.g., [Link], Happy Scribe or integrated features in Microsoft
Word/Google Docs) followed by careful manual review and correction for
accuracy.
Step 2: Familiarization with the Data
• Action: Read and re-read all transcribed interviews thoroughly. Listen to the
audio recordings while reading the transcripts to catch nuances, tone, and
context that might be missed in text alone. Make initial notes and
observations.
• Rationale: This step is crucial for gaining a comprehensive understanding of
the data, identifying initial patterns, and developing a sense of the depth and
breadth of participants' experiences.
Step 3: Generating Initial Codes
• Action: Begin coding the data. This involves systematically going through the
transcripts and highlighting interesting features of the data that are relevant to
the research questions. Assign short, descriptive labels (codes) to these
segments of text.
◦ Deductive Coding: Start with pre-defined codes derived from the
theoretical framework and research questions (e.g.,
Portability_Challenge, MDF_Failure, Emotional_Attachment,
Circular_Economy_Awareness).
◦ Inductive Coding: Remain open to new codes that emerge directly
from the data, capturing unexpected insights or participant-specific
language (e.g., DIY_Frustration, Rental_Market_Influence,
Sentimental_Value_Repair).
• Rationale: Coding breaks down the data into manageable units and allows
for systematic organization. The combination of deductive and inductive
coding ensures both theoretical grounding and data-driven discovery.
• Tools: Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software such as NVivo, [Link],
or Dedoose are highly recommended for managing codes, transcripts, and
facilitating the coding process. For simpler projects, manual coding using
highlighters and comments in word processors can also be effective.
Step 4: Searching for Themes
• Action: Review the generated codes and look for patterns, similarities and
relationships among them. Group related codes together to form potential
themes. A theme captures an important aspect of the data in relation to the
research question and represents a patterned response or meaning within the
dataset.
• Rationale: This step moves beyond individual codes to identify broader, more
abstract concepts that are central to the participants' experiences.
Step 5: Reviewing Themes
• Action: Critically evaluate the identified themes.
◦ Internal Homogeneity: Ensure that the data within each theme cohere
together meaningfully.
◦ External Heterogeneity: Check that there are clear and identifiable
differences between themes.
◦ Fit with Data: Read through the entire dataset again to ensure the
themes accurately reflect the meanings evident in the data. If a theme
doesn't seem to fit, it may need to be refined, split, or merged with
another theme.
• Rationale: This iterative process ensures the themes are robust, distinct, and
accurately represent the nuances of the data.
Step 6: Defining and Naming Themes
• Action: Clearly define what each theme is about, what aspect of the data it
captures, and why it is important to the research question. Give each theme a
concise and informative name that reflects its essence.
• Rationale: Clear definitions and names help in presenting the findings
coherently and ensure that the themes are easily understood by the reader.
Step 7: Producing the Report
• Action: Write up the findings, presenting the themes in a logical and
compelling narrative. Use vivid examples and direct quotes from the
transcripts to illustrate each theme. Discuss how the themes address the
research questions and contribute to the overall thesis.
• Rationale: This is the final step where the analysis is translated into a
coherent and persuasive argument, supported by empirical evidence.
4. Integration with Other Data Sources
The findings from the semi-structured interviews and real-life case analyses will be
integrated with the existing digital observation (netnography) and supplementary
survey data. This triangulation of data sources will enhance the validity and
reliability of the research findings, providing a more comprehensive understanding of
the phenomenon under investigation.
5. Software for Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA)
While manual coding is possible, especially for smaller datasets, QDA software
significantly streamlines the process of managing, coding, and analyzing qualitative
data. Recommended software includes:
• NVivo: A powerful and widely used QDA software that supports various
qualitative methodologies. It allows for coding, memoing, querying, and
visualization of data.
• [Link]: Another robust QDA platform offering similar functionalities to
NVivo, with a focus on visual exploration of data.
• Dedoose: A web-based QDA application that is collaborative and user-
friendly, suitable for team-based research.
• MAXQDA: Comprehensive software for qualitative and mixed methods
research, offering tools for text, audio, video, and image analysis.
These tools help in organizing transcripts, assigning codes, retrieving coded
segments, and exploring relationships between codes and themes, making the
analysis process more efficient and systematic.
References
[1] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative
Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
App MAXQDA,