The Interview Method/ Technique

Definitions:

A research interview is a structured social interaction between a

researcher and a subject who is identified as a potential source of
information, in which the interviewer initiates and controls the
exchange to obtain quantifiable and comparable information relevant
to an emerging or previously stated hypothesis.

An interview is a conversation between two or more people where

questions are asked and answers given. Questions are asked by the
interviewer to obtain information and questions are answered by the
interviewee to provide or give information. Interviews can be divided
into two rough types, interviews of assessment and interviews for
information.
The most common type of interview for assessment is a job interview
between an employer and an applicant/ prospective employee. The goal of
such an interview is to assess the interviewee in light of abilities or
shortcomings. Similar interviews are also used for admissions to schools,
scholarship grants etc.
The second type of interviews are those seeking to gather information about
a subject. These types of interviews are central to the practices of journalism
and independent studies conducted by the researcher (social research
interviews). The social research interview therefore forms a part of the
Qualitative research method.
N.B: Interviews may be conducted face- to- face or via the telephone
(Interview Techniques)
There are many types of interview methods to use, but the most commonly
used are structured, semi structured and unstructured interviews. The

amount and type of information sought by the researcher/ interviewer will

determine the type of interview conducted.
Unstructured interviews is where the researcher asks few/little questions and
allows the interviewee to respond with no limitations or boundaries given. It
is often done to find out as much information as possible, and may be
referred to as 'Life History' Interview. It is the favoured approach for history
researchers, as it attempts to achieve a Holistic understanding of the
interviewees point of view. (Oral Histories).
Semi Structured Interviews are perhaps the most commonly used interview
technique in qualitative social research , where the researcher may seek
information which can be compared and contrasted with information from
other interviews. The researcher may produce an interview schedule which
is a list of questions the researcher wants to gain answers to from the
interviewee.
Structured Interviews
It includes the use of fixed/ structured questions with fixed response
chategories covering a specific area or topic. Questions are usually succint
(concise and to the point). The interviewer is in total control of the
proceedings.
Purpose of conducting Interviews
1. To provide in- depth narrative information
2. To encourage respondents to talk about their feelings, attitudes and
opinions
3. To validate information that researcher already has
Advantages of the Interview Method/ Technique
Researcher/ Interviewer has the opportunity of working directly with
respondents
Provides the interviewer with the opportunity to probe or ask followup questions
Provides information useful to validate information obtained from
other data sources

 Takes interviewer into the mind and emotions of the interviewee.

Interviewer is able to gain responses on what the interviewee feels,
what they think and what they know based on personal experience.
Disadvantages of the Interview Method/ Technique
Interviewers presence may result in bias
Interviewers probing techniques may lead to the interviewee feeling
pressured to give answers that he/ she believes the interviewer wants
to hear
Information gathered may be too subjective (based on opinion);
therefore information may not be factual
Time consuming
Guidelines to follow when conducting Interviews

Do not dominate conversation

Encourage respondent to talk
Avoid interrupting
Avoid stating your opinions or ask leading questions
Aim questions at required information
Brevity is important: keep it short and simple
Provide preliminary notification