Conducting semi structured interviews 493 the name that appears to be currently garnering a majority of usage is not crisp, clever, or inventive but it is simple and descriptive. Semistructured interviews allow for the collection of qualitative and quantitative information ef. Semistructured interviewing is an important tool for gathering data in qualitative research. Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques. The chapter presents some recommendations that can be considered when constructing an ssi guide. On the contrary, when the interview is unstructured, questions may differ from interviewee to interviewee, for the same job, which may or may not be related to the job. Pdf strengths and weaknesses of global positioning. Semistructured interviewing in primary care research. The semi structured interview method combines some structured questions with some unstructured exploration.
Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative interviews open. A semistructured interview combines predefined questions like those used in structured interviews see chapter 1 with the openended exploration of an unstructured interview see chapter 3. The openended question asks for both facts and opinions from respondents, the focused interview follows already delineated set of questions while the structured interview is usually. From field notes, to transcripts, to tape recordings.
Their strength therefore lie in that they are flexible. This chapter provides strengths and weaknesses of this method, the procedures for planning and conducting structured interviews, and tips for gathering reliable data. However, when the topic is unfamiliar, using unstructured interviews are better because they are openended and exploratory. The same interview script is used in each separate inter. A probe is a followup question that is used after the respondent has. If you are unclear about the differences between them or unsure which one to use, youve come to the right place. The structured interview is used for validating results when the number of candidates is quite large. Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques in qualitative research raymond opdenakker abstract. The key to understanding how a semistructured interview is carried out is to look at the name. Semistructured interviews are based on semistructured interview guide, which is a schematic presentation of questions or topics and need to be explored by the interviewer. Should you use interrater reliability in qualitative coding. In the last two decades, telephone interviewing became more and more com.
This method of interviewing is also known as the standardized openended interview patton, 2002 and uses preestablished questions with limited response categories. Semistructured indepth interviews are commonly used in qualitative research and are the most frequent qualitative data source in health services research. A structured interview is a quantitative research method where the interviewer a set of prepared closedended questions in the form of an interview schedule, which heshe reads out exactly as worded interviews schedules have a standardized format which means the same questions are asked to each interviewee in the same order see fig. Oct 11, 2016 0 semistructured interview the key to understanding how a semistructured interview is carried out is to look at the name. Before going into more detail about semistructured interviews, lets rst con. The focus of this research was semistructured interviews. These include the ability to clearly structure questions cohen et al. Since semi structured interviews often contain openened questions and discussions may diverge from the interview guide, it is generally best to taperecord interviews and later transcript these tapes for analysis. Structured interviews use a questionnaire format with closed questions and can be beneficial, particularly when participants have either a speech or language impairment. Semi structured interviews and focus groups margaret c. A al oduction h iewing alan morris sage publications ltd. Semi structured interviews are based on semi structured interview guide, which is a schematic presentation of questions or topics and need to be explored by the interviewer. The semi structured or unstructured interview or focus group are two of the most popular qualitative methods, but are usually conducted in facetoface settings.
Chauncey wilson, in interview techniques for ux practitioners, 2014. Semistructured interviews qualitative research guidelines project. Indepth interviews are semistructured interviews where the researcher has topics and questions in mind to ask, but questions are open ended and flow according to how the participant responds to each. This method typically consists of a dialogue between researcher and participant, guided by a flexible interview protocol and supplemented by followup questions, probes and comments. Albeit the disadvantages accompanied with semistructured interviews as a method of data collection, they were selected in this study due to the fact that they offer convenience in data collection cohen and crabtree, 2006. Semistructured interview an overview sciencedirect topics. While qualitative approaches such as semistructured interviews are widely recognised and regularly applied by social. Strengths and weaknesses of global positioning system gps dataloggers and semi structured interviews for capturing finescale human mobility. Semistructured interviews are particularly useful for collecting information. A structured interview is a quantitative research method where the interviewer a set of prepared closedended questions in the form of an interview schedule, which heshe reads out exactly as worded. The semistructured interview method combines some structured questions with some unstructured exploration. The advantages and disadvantages of structured interviews. This means it has some structure, but theres freedom. The focus of this article is concentrated on the ways in which the four interview techniques differ from each other, thus.
The development of interview techniques in language. Structured interviews are typically used in surveys see our survey research methods tip sheet for more information. The structure in this interview method comes in the form of the interview guide that is planned beforehand. Semi structured interviews are conducted with a fairly open framework which allows focused, conversational, twoway communication. Pdf strengths and weaknesses of global positioning system. Bradley th is course provides an overview of two types of qualitative data collection methodologies. The semistructured indepth interview i will be focusing on semistructured indepth interviews in this book is similar to a conversation in that there are two individuals discussing a topic of mutual interest and ideally the discussion is relaxed, open and honest mason, 1998. Since semistructured interviews often contain openened questions and discussions may diverge from the interview guide, it is generally best to taperecord interviews and later transcript these tapes for analysis. Name of method focused semistructured interviews brief outline of method this technique is used to collect qualitative data by setting up a situation the interview that allows a respondent the time and scope to talk about their opinions on a particular subject.
A structured interview is one where the interviewer asks each participant the same set of questions in the exact same order including probes, in order to gather consistent and comparable data. The semi structured indepth interview i will be focusing on semi structured indepth interviews in this book is similar to a conversation in that there are two individuals discussing a topic of mutual interest and ideally the discussion is relaxed, open and honest mason, 1998. A trained interview is present to answer any questions the interviewee has. Many researchers like to use semistructured interviews because questions can be prepared ahead of time. However, they are frequently used to generate quantitative rather semistructured interviews. Using interviews in a research project simmons university. Strengths of structured and semistructured interviews. Semistructured interviews and focus groups margaret c. Oct 20, 2015 indepth interviews are semi structured interviews where the researcher has topics and questions in mind to ask, but questions are open ended and flow according to how the participant responds to each. In a semistructured interview, the interviewer also has the freedom to probe. These include the ability to clearly structure questions.
And while it is possible to move these meetings to virtual video or even telephone based interviews, these come with. Critiquing interviewing as a data collection method. This is sometimes called a semistructured interview. Semistructured interviews provide some needed structure for multiplecase study research in order to ensure crosscase comparability see interviewing, ch. This is sometimes called a semi structured interview. The openended nature of the question defines the topic under investigation but provides opportunities for both interviewer and interviewee to discuss some topics in more detail. The advantages of a semistructured interview include the following. Semistructured interviews whereas the unstructured interview is conducted in conjunction with the collection of observational data, semistructured interviews are often the sole data source for a qualitative research project21 and are usually scheduled in advance at a designated time and location outside of everyday events. Strengths and weaknesses of unstructured interviews.
In a semistructured interview, the interviewer uses a set of predetermined questions and the respondents answer in their own words. A structured interview is a type of interview in which the interviewer asks a particular set of predetermined questions, while the unstructured interview is a type of interview in which the. Job interview types recruiters and human resources professionals divide. Here, the interviewer works from a list of topics that need to be covered with each respondent, but the order and exact wording of questions is not important. Unstructured interviews are very valid when compared to structured interviews because of the thorough understanding of the concept as well as the interviewer will be able to clarify the doubts of the concept raised by the candidate. Difference between structured, unstructured and semi. The wording of questions will not necessarily be the same for all respondents. This guide includes the general themes or topics that the researcher wants to cover. This guide provides an overview and comparison of different job interview types and explains how to conduct each of them in a few simple steps.
Pdf the joys and challenges of semistructured interviewing. This means it has some structure, but theres freedom the structure in this interview method comes in the form of the interview guide that is planned beforehand. A semistructured interview has been referred to as a conversation with a purpose. The interviewer and respondents engage in a formal interview. Jan 24, 2018 recruiters and human resources professionals divide job interviews into 3 different types. As cyberspace is defined as the noplace morse, 1998, communication in a virtual place brings. Semi structured interviews whereas the unstructured interview is conducted in conjunction with the collection of observational data, semi structured interviews are often the sole data source for a qualitative research project21 and are usually scheduled in advance at a designated time and location outside of everyday events. The strengths of semistructured interviews are that the researcher can prompt and probe deeper into the given situation kajornboon, 2005, p. Interviews schedules have a standardized format which means the same questions are asked to each interviewee in the same order see fig.
Strengths and weaknesses of global positioning system gps dataloggers and semistructured interviews for capturing finescale human mobility. A semi structured interview combines predefined questions like those used in structured interviews see chapter 1 with the openended exploration of an unstructured interview see chapter 3. In structured interviews, the interviewer needs to know background information on the topic they ae studying, and preferably have a hypothesis in mind, otherwise they wont know what questions to ask. To achieve optimum use of interview time, interview guides serve the useful purpose of exploring many respondents more systematically and comprehensively as well as to keep. Th ese techniques are commonly used in policy research and are applicable to many research questions. Interviews, however, can be nonscheduled, though still partly standardised. The interviewer follows a guideline but is able to follow topical trajectories in the conversation that may stray from the guide when it seems appropriate. Difference between structured and unstructured interview.
Semistructured interviews semistructured interviews involve a series of openended questions based on the topic areas the researcher wants to cover. The most important difference between structured and unstructured interview is that when the interview is structured, same questions, are put before the candidates, which are job related. Recording semistructured interviews typically, the interviewer has a paperbased interview guide that he or she follows. Semi structured interviews sit halfway between a structured survey and an unstructured conversation. Recording semi structured interviews typically, the interviewer has a paperbased interview guide that he or she follows. Examples of research articles using semistructured interviews in primary care. Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques in.
Semistructured interviews are conducted with a fairly open framework which allows focused, conversational, twoway communication. Facetoface interviews have long been the dominant interview technique in the field of qualitative research. Pdf the use of semistructured interviews in qualitative research. Structured interviews are based on a fixed set of predetermined questions. Interviewers using the semistructured interview approach generally follow a document called an interview guide or interview schedule that includes the following.
Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques in qualitative research place. Conducting semistructured interviews 493 the name that appears to be currently garnering a majority of usage is not crisp, clever, or inventive but it is simple and descriptive. A quick guide to semistructured interviews fuel cycle. The advantages and disadvantages of each method will be dealt with, briefly. Pdf conducting semistructured interviews researchgate. Pdf the use of semistructured interviews in qualitative. The strengths and weaknesses of research methodology. Should you use interrater reliability in qualitative. Interview guides can vary in format but should contain some outline of the topics you hope to cover during the course of an interview. The method allows the researcher to collect openended. This paper explores some of the joys and challenges associated with research interviewing.
Not all questions are designed and phrased ahead of time. Hence, the unstructured interview is something that has clarity and it is very interactive too. Qualitative research methodinterviewing and observation. The semistructured or unstructured interview or focus group are two of the most popular qualitative methods, but are usually conducted in facetoface settings. Semistructured interviews sit halfway between a structured survey and an unstructured conversation. It is a short, preliminary, investigative study to explore in more depth by means of a variety of techniques, such as probing, establishing rapport, and so on. Interviewers using the semi structured interview approach generally follow a document called an interview guide or interview schedule that includes the. Semi structured interviews are particularly useful for collecting information. One could argue that msn messenger and telephone interviews are characterised by synchronous communication in cyberspace. Semi structured interviews semi structured interviews involve a series of openended questions based on the topic areas the researcher wants to cover. A methodological guide to using and reporting on interviews.
The development of interview techniques in language studies. Unlike unstructured interview, which is used to probe personal details of the candidate, so as to judge if he is the right person for the job. Strengths and weaknesses of global positioning system gps. Semi structured interviewing is an important tool for gathering data in qualitative research. Dec 30, 2017 structured interviews are used by positivists whereas unstructured interview is used by interpretivists. In this article you will learn the differences between them so you can decide which one is your best choice for assessing candidates. The use of semistructured interviews in qualitative research.
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