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Mastering the Interview Method

This lesson focuses on the interview method as a qualitative data collection technique, outlining steps for conducting interviews and the parts of an interview protocol. Key steps include establishing rapport, explaining the research purpose, and using open-ended questions to gather in-depth information. The lesson emphasizes the importance of systematic design and interaction in interviews to effectively explore subjects' opinions and experiences.

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dalwampuashley
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28 views1 page

Mastering the Interview Method

This lesson focuses on the interview method as a qualitative data collection technique, outlining steps for conducting interviews and the parts of an interview protocol. Key steps include establishing rapport, explaining the research purpose, and using open-ended questions to gather in-depth information. The lesson emphasizes the importance of systematic design and interaction in interviews to effectively explore subjects' opinions and experiences.

Uploaded by

dalwampuashley
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lesson 10: tHE INTERVIEW METHOD subjects the questions that will elicit the right data for

ns that will elicit the right data for your


Learning Goals and Objectives research
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
collects data through interview; Step 4: Conducting the Interview Proper
infers and explain patterns and themes from data; and -Interview questions in this step are on the interviewee’s open
relate the findings with pertinent literature. and extensive talking of things related to the research theme or
research questions and on those anticipated by him/her or
In previous lesson, you enabled to tackle observation as data emanating from his/her explanations, descriptions, or narrations
gathering method. It provides you as learners the steps in of things. Open or unstructured questions asked in this step of
conducting observation. In this lesson, you will be able to outline the interview aim at investigating the questions.
the steps in doing interview and the parts of its protocol.
Step 5: Putting an End to the Interview
Subtopic 1: The Interview Method -Signs of the approaching end of the interview work to alert the
respondent in winding up with his or her talking.
Interviewing is one method by which qualitative data can be -This step also reminds you of your responsibility to let the
gathered. Although it may be less formal than quantitative, it is respondent be free in airing whatever doubts or questions he or
important to design a systematic interview technique as well as she has about the research design, method, interview time, and
carefully validated data. Interviews are different from other aspects of the interview.
questionnaires as they involve social interaction. Quite often
interviews will be recorded by the researcher and the data Step 6: Pondering Over Interview Afterthoughts
written up as a transcript (a written account of interview -This last step of the interview gives the respondent the
questions and answers) which can be analyzed at a later date opportunity to ask questions about the interview activity and let
(Mcleod, 2014). him or her have an idea about what will happen next to the
interview results.
Interviews are most effective for qualitative research. They help
you explain, better understand, and explore research subjects' Parts of an Interview Protocol (Creswell, 2007)
opinions, behavior, experiences, phenomenon, etc .It can be
done thru face-to face, phone or online (skype, googlehangout, 1. Basic Information about the Interview.
google meet, messenger, etc.) -It includes the time and date of the interview, where the
Interview questions are usually open-ended questions so that in- interview takes place, and who the participants to be
depth information will be collected. interviewed are.

Steps in Conducting an Interview 2. Introduction.


Step 1: Getting to Know Each Other -This provides instructions to the interviewer which will serve as
-The interview starts from the time you, he interviewer, and your his/her guide in conducting the session. It is a prerequisite that
respondents see each other at the place of interview, that is, if the interviewer introduce himself/herself including the
this is a traditional interview. objectives of the research.
-Naturally, seeing each other for the first time, your tendency
would be to talk with each other to establish friendship and a 3. Opening Question.
relaxed mood for both of you. -This is about getting to know participants so they will feel at
ease. Questions related to their work or activities are good
Step 2: Having an Idea of the Research opening questions. Very personal questions must be avoided.
-This second step requires you to tell the respondents about the
nature of the interview—its purpose, importance, scope, and so 4. Content Questions
on. Telling them of these salient features of the activity enables -These are sub-questions based on the central phenomenon
them to anticipate not only the kind of questions they will get to being studied.
face, but also the appropriate answers they will give.
5. Closing Instructions
Step 3: Starting the Interview -Thank the interviewee of his/her time
-You open this step with a question to encourage the respondent
to talk about himself or herself, including his or her age, family,
current activities, and other things you think appear special or
interesting to him or her.
-Following these self-introduction questions are questions on
the subject’s thoughts, attitudes, or performance of his or her
job or any current work assignment.
-The respondent’s answers do not only help you get some clues
on his or her ways or techniques of responding to interview
questions, but also give you hints on the right ways to ask your

Common questions

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'Putting an End to the Interview' involves giving participants an opportunity to express any concerns or ask questions about the study, ensuring they leave the interview feeling respected and informed. This step contributes to ethical research by addressing participant rights to understanding their involvement and by reinforcing their autonomy. Implementation should include allowing ample time for follow-up questions and providing information on how their data will be used .

'Pondering Over Interview Afterthoughts' is crucial as it allows both the interviewer and interviewee to reflect on the session, discuss any questions or doubts about the research, and understand subsequent steps. This reflection can lead to insights that were initially overlooked, enhance the transparency of the research process, and ensure that the interviewee understands their role going forward, potentially improving the richness of the data collected .

Key elements of a well-designed interview include crafting open-ended questions to elicit detailed responses, ensuring questions align with research objectives, creating a standardized interview protocol to reduce bias, and training interviewers to maintain consistency. Additionally, it involves planning the logistics such as setting, recording, and transcribing methods to ensure everything aligns for reliability and depth. Considerations for participant comfort and ethical standards must also be incorporated .

Interviews involve social interaction and are less formal than questionnaires, allowing for a deeper exploration of research subjects' opinions, behavior, and experiences. Unlike questionnaires, which typically prompt straightforward answers, interviews provide open-ended responses that can be further probed. This results in richer qualitative data but requires carefully designed interview techniques to ensure validity. Consequently, interviews offer deeper insights but at the expense of being time-consuming and potentially subjective, highlighting the need for a well-structured interview process .

'Opening Questions' serve to ease the interviewee into the session, helping them feel comfortable and at ease. These questions typically cover safe topics such as the interviewee's work or daily activities, avoiding overly personal matters. The aim is to build a rapport and create a relaxed atmosphere conducive to honest and open responses, setting the tone for deeper questions later in the interview .

'Content Questions' are designed as sub-questions that directly relate to the central phenomenon being studied. They guide the conversation toward specific topics of interest while allowing for in-depth exploration of the interviewee's experiences and viewpoints. These questions enable researchers to gather detailed information and uncover patterns or themes relevant to the study's objectives, ultimately contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the research topic .

The steps involved in conducting an interview include: Getting to Know Each Other, which establishes rapport; Having an Idea of the Research, explaining the interview's purpose; Starting the Interview, asking initial personal questions to set context; Conducting the Interview Proper, focusing on open-ended questions related to research themes; Putting an End to the Interview, allowing for winding up and feedback; and Pondering Over Interview Afterthoughts, where afterthoughts are discussed. These steps ensure systematic data collection through building rapport, contextual understanding, effective communication, and reflection .

Researchers may face challenges such as interviewer bias, interviewee discomfort, and variability in responses. To overcome these, they can employ strategies such as standardizing the interview protocol to minimize bias, building rapport to ensure interviewee comfort, and training interviewers for consistency. Additionally, validating data through triangulating with other sources or methods and conducting pilot interviews can enhance reliability and validity .

The 'Introduction' in an interview protocol includes the interviewer introducing themselves and outlining the objectives of the research. This serves as a guide for conducting the session, sets the expectations for the interviewee, and establishes the context and purpose, helping to ensure that the interview progresses smoothly and effectively gathers relevant data .

Establishing rapport at the onset of an interview is critical, as it fosters a comfortable and trusting environment. This can lead to more candid and comprehensive responses, as interviewees are likely to open up more about their true opinions and experiences. Without rapport, responses may be guarded or superficial, thus affecting the depth and quality of the data collected .

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