2. Definitions
• Conversation with a purpose
• An interactional process
• Collecting data through person to
people contact, between an interviewer
and a respondent
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3. Types of interview
• Structured interview
• Unstructured interview
• Focus group interview
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4. Structured interview
• Also known as formal interview
• Predetermined questions
• standardized techniques
– Number of questions
– Nature of questions
– Order of questions
– Wording of questions
– Response patterns
– Recording responses
• Mostly closed form questions
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5. Structured - advantages
• Uniformity and precision
• Interviewer bias can be restricted
• Methodical and easy to administer
• Data collection and interpretation is easy
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6. Structured - limitations
• Rigidity makes it mechanical
• Difficult to get in-depth information
• It has no personal touch
• Structure is getting more importance than
substance
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7. Unstructured interview
• More informal in nature
• Flexibility
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– Number of questions
– Nature of questions
– Order of questions
– Wording of questions
– Response patterns
• Adjusted to the level and conditions of the
respondent
• Emphasis on the purpose than the content
• Interviewer has more freedom
8. Unstructured - advantages
• Overcome the artificial nature of structured
interview
• No psychological barrier in communication
• Can get more in-depth information
• Flexibility permits the interviewer to suit
the interview to the respondent
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9. Unstructured - limitation
• Data analysis becomes difficult
• Conducting interview requires higher skills
• Problem of personal bias of the interviewer
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10. Focus group interview
• Used in qualitative research
• Typically consists of ten to twelve people
• Should last for minimum one hour and
possibly two hours
• Typically centers on a particular issue
• Trained interviewer elicits the views of
group noting interactions with in the group
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11. Focus group - advantages
• Different perspectives
• How and why of participant thinking
• Economical – time and money
• Useful for new topic
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12. Phase of interview/technique of
interview/ suggestions for
conducting interview
1. Beginning phase
2. Middle phase
3. Closing phase
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13. Beginning phase
• Establish good rapport
• Introduce yourself
• Pleasant conversation
• Non-threatening factual and general
questions
• Convey the purpose of interview
• Assure the confidentiality of the
information provided
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14. Middle phase
• One question at a time
• Repeat the question if necessary
• Listen carefully to the answers
• Observe the non-verbal reactions of the subject
• Allow sufficient time but do not drag
• Avoid suggestions for answers
• Don’t shoe surprise, anger, shock if there is
unexpected responses
• Maintain neutral attitude with respect to controversial
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issues
15. • Encourage the subject from time to time
• Take note (record) during the interview
• Can use tape recorder with the permission
• Keep the subjects attention on the task
• Ask questions in a conversational style
• Use probing for clarifications
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16. Closing phase
• Do not end abruptly
• Review the important points discussed
• Repeat the important points
• Thank the subject
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17. Advantages of interview
• Useful for children and illiterate
• Greater depth of information
• Clarification of points is possible
• Get information on feelings, emotions, and attitude
• Get spontaneous response
• Check the truthfulness of information at different
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stages
• Study the nonverbal behavior
• Confidential information which the respondent is not
ready to share in writing
18. Limitations
• Time consuming
• Difficult to interview everyone in a study
• Required skilled investigator
• Subjectivity/bias of the interviewer
• Artificial responses from the subject
• Difficulty in recording
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19. Designing interview schedule
• Consider the objectives of the study
• Specify the areas of information to be collected –
decision on the content
• Decision on wording the questions
• Decision on the sequence of questions
• Formulate the questions
• Develop the draft
• Expert opinion and revision
• Tryout/pilot test and revision
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