interviewing
TRANSCRIPT
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
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.)
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