tools to gather data- interviews

8/2/2019 Tools to Gather Data- Interviews

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C Diedericks

Tools to gather Data: Interviews


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Interview

Means of collecting data in Social ScienceResearch

Defined as :

A systematic conversation initiated forspecific purpose and focussed on certain

planned content areas.

However , it is not a simple conversation

between an investigator and an informant


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Interview is all about

Asking someone to respond tospecific questions relating to hisopinions or experiences , attitudes,

values, beliefs, future intentions orknowledge

Interview is done with the help of astructured schedule or an interview

guide.


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Objective of an interview

To gather data extensively & intensively

Exchange ideas & experiences

Elicit information pertaining to areadecided.

Interviewee could rehearse his past,define his present and canvass hisfuture possibilities


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Classification of Interviews Based on Formality:

Interviewer presents welldefined questions and

notes down the answersas per the prescribed rulesFormal

Interviewer has fullfreedom to make

alterations to questions tosuit the situationInformal


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Classification of Interviews Based on Number

Single individual is interviewedwhich helps to establish acontact with the interviewer

which can elicit detailedinformation

Personal

Interview

Group of individuals interviewedand could be used to gatherinformation about the same

from different perspectives andis used to save time and money

Group

Interview


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Classification of Interviews

Based on Purpose:

Used mainly in medicalresearch therefore has

little relevance toBusiness research

Diagnostic

interviews

Data gathering inintended to provide

information to facilitatethe research area.

Research

interviews


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Classification of Interviews Based on period of Contact

An example could be

filling up some shortschedules with aninformal discussion

ShortcontactInterview

A contact with theinterviewee need to beestablished as data isgathered over a longerperiod of time (e.g. clinicaltrials)

Prolongedcontact

Interview


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Classification of Interviews Based on subject matter:

QualitativeInterviews

Its aboutcomplexunquantifiablematter. E.g.case studies

Quantitativeinterviews

Numerical innature e.g.censusinterviews

MixedInterview

Contains dataof numeric &non numericnature


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Based on Role

Non directiveinterviews

Free or unstructuredinterview, with nospecific control,engages theinterviewee to talkabout his experienceand feelings

FocussedInterview

In this interview aconcrete circumstanceis analysed beforehand .

This interview focus onpersonal reactions,emotional and

intellectual orientationtowards specific issues.

RepeatedInterview

This is conducted toreview the progressrelating to anyparticular situation orattitude development


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Ideal when data gathering hasto be done over long distance

Economical method

TelephoneInterview

This is done in case studiesFace to face

interview

CAPI : computer aided personalinterviewing CATI: computer aided

telephonic interviewing

This is done in case studies

Intranet & Internetinterviews


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Classification of Interviews Based on structure:

Structured

Interview

Read out questions in an orderly fashion and recordresponses in a pre coded answer schedule

Mostly used to gather quantified information

SemistructuredInterview

An area of interest is explored in depth

The interviewee is given opportunity to talk free of events,experiences, beliefs in relation to the area the researcher isexploring

In DepthInterview

Used in qualitative research interviews The order of questions may vary with respect to the flow of

the conversation and could use audio equipment to recordinformation


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Guidelines for a good interview

Have thorough knowledge of the subjectmatter

Determine who has to be interviewed

Have a knowledge of the routine :time&place

Conduct a preliminary try out of interviewplan


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Guidelines for a good interview

Become familiar wit the variousinterviewing techniques & processes

Make a written report of the interviewASAP to avoid any omission


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Techniques of Interviews

Set up interview time

Introduction Letter

Establish rapport with the respondents

Allay the fear of the respondents

Be on brass tracks......bring back to track ifinterviewee goes out of the area

Ask questions to bring clarity of thought

Avoid controversial matters

Attain a proper exit


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Interviewing competence Opening the interview

Using Appropriate language

Questioning

Listening Testing & summarising understanding

Recognising and dealing with difficult participants

Recording data


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Type of Questions

Openquestions

ProbeQuestions

Closedquestions

Allows participantsto define &describe an event

Are used to exploreresponses that areof significance tothe research

Used to obtain

specific informationor confirm a fact oropinion


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Examples of questions :

Why did theorganisation

introduce itsmarketingstrategy?

What methodshave beenused to make

employee'sredundant?

How would youevaluate the

success of thisnew marketingstrategy?

Why wouldchoose acompulsory

method tomakeredundancies?

How manypeople

responded toyou recentmarket survey?

Would youagree thatredundancy

methodadopted wasappropriate?


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Type of questions:

Opinion

Record howrespondentsfeel aboutsomethingor what theythink or

believe istrue or false

Behaviour

Gather dataon whatpeople did inthe past, donow or willdo in future

Attribute

Used togatherinformationabout agegender,marital

status,occupation ,income etc.


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Interview Guide Interview guide is a written document giving and

outline of the different aspects to be studied

General Plan of the interview

Sequence of questions on the area is listed out

It gives direction to the interview


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Limitations

Emotionalism

Personal bias

Wishful listening

Uneconomical Omissions & mistakes in recording data

Unwillingness to answer question because of thehighly personal nature of questions

Inadequate response

Irrelevant response


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How to increase the validity ofinterview

Interviewer examines cause & effect ofaspects of the interview

Interview should cross examine data from

other sources Avoid perceptions & assumptions

Adopt a neutral stand to avoid influencing theinterviewees opinion.


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Increasing the effectiveness of theinterview

Explain objectives or goals of the project

Motivate the interviewer by adding value to thewhole exercise

Practice mock interviews to avoid any errors&fumbling with questioning

Develop the art of interviewing by learning skills &techniques .

tools to gather data- interviews

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