collecting qualitative data

• types of interviews:

  • structured
  • unstructured
  • sem-structured
• structured interviews

  • provide maximum control
  • same questions which are created prior to the interview
  • offer a limited set of response categories
  • few open-ended questions
  • standardised data - linked to questionnaire and social survey
  • often larger samples
  • do not allow for probing, depth of coverage, researching sensitive topics
• semi-structured (most common)

  • researcher follows a template/topic guide, but is flexible in approach
  • based on engagement between researcher and participant
  • based on topic guide but follows participants trajectories in the conversation - allows for iterative nature of interview
  • standardised and open-ended questions
• unstructured interviews

  • a clear plan in mind regarding the focus and goal of the interview, which guides the discussion
  • there is not a structured interview guide
  • researcher tries to be as un-intrusive as possible - interviewee encouraged to develop thoughts and ideas freely
• key aspects of semi structured interviews

  • the interactional exchange of dialogue - the crafting of the story (between researcher and the participant or two or more participants, in face to face or remote contexts
• key aspects of semi structured interviews:

  • based on a thematic, topic-centred, biographical or narrative approach where the researcher has topics, themes or issues they wish to uncover, but with a fluid and flexible structure
• key aspects of semi-structured interviews:

  probing: chopping and changing through brainstorming and piloting: topic guide amended
• key aspects of semi-structured interviews:

  meanings and understandings are created in an interaction - reality is co constructed (social constructivism)
• types of questions

  • direct questions
  • indirect questions
  • structuring questions
  • follow-up questions
  • specifying questions
  • interpreting questions
• direct questions

  • use towards end of questions to not influence direction of interview
  • e.g. are you happy when you meet your friends
• indirect questions: "what would students value in their friendships" perhaps followed up by " is that the way you think too?" in order to get individuals own view
• structuring questions : "I would now like to move on to a different aspect relating to friendship
• follow-up questions: getting the interviewee to elaborate his/her answer, such as 'could you say more about that' 'what do you mean by that'
• specifying questions: "what did you do then" "how did X react to what you said"
• interpreting questions "do you mean that your perspectives on what makes a good friendship have changed throught the years"
• introduction to interview

  • state that the interview is like a one-sided chat, that you will say very little
  • state that they can take their time (and reassure them in the interview itself)
  • state that most of you questions follow on from their responses
  • state that some of your questions may make you sound 'unintelligent' but this is because youre trying to get to grips with how they understand things and not how you do
• sequence of a protocol questioning route

  • processual: open the session with an explanations of the study, purpose of the interview, why the participant was selected. explain the backround of the study, share consent form, address protection of the participant rights, answer general questions
• sequence of a protocol questioning route

  • opening the interview
  • general questions to establish trust and rapport and provide context for more detailed questions to follow
  • specific, complex questions from the core of the interview; follow up questions elicit thick, rich descriptive stories
  • conclusion: a sequence of questions to allow the interviewee debriefing, summarizing and final thoughts
• interviewing

  • always follow interesting avenues
  • always be patient and do not be afraid of silence
  • use differences in participant/interviewer as tool to open up the participant's personal perceptions (e.g. age, gender, ethnicity). seek clarification/ use follow-up questions
  • remember the participant is looking for ques from you about how well they are doing
  • dont interrupt
  • ask one question at a time
• potential problems for the participant

  • ppts may struggle with the level of their account (keeping generic and impersonal
  • participants may talk of the issues in terms of other people (partners, friends)
  • remind them that this is about them and their experiences and understandings
  • participants may feel distressed and uncomfortable, and it is your duty to stop or terminate the interview
• potential problems for the interviewer

  • you can and will feel overwhelmed with the amount of things to remember and return to
  • you can feel overly intrusive
• concluding the interview

  • transition to the ned of your interview with one or two questions that allow the partcipant a chance to communicate any final thoughts, clarification or comments that still need to be shared
  • a single open-ended question, posed by the researcher, is the best way to capture these final sentiments or thoughts
  • e.g. thinking about your experience overall/ to obtain your final thoughts, is there anything else that you think is important about your recent experiences that you would like to share today