The Art of the Interview: Techniques and Types for Effective Information Gathering
The Interview: A Cornerstone of Social Science Research
The interview, a fundamental human social activity, forms the basis of conversation. In social science research, interviews transcend casual conversation, aiming to extract relevant and meaningful information. It involves a verbal interaction between individuals, where one seeks information from another. Interviews enable researchers to describe and interpret aspects of reality that are not directly observable.
Types of Interviews
Interviews can be categorized based on their purpose, structure, and directivity:
Purpose
- Diagnostic
- Therapeutic
- Personal guidance
- Research
Structure
Closed Structured Interviews
These interviews follow a rigid question-and-answer protocol, where the interviewer asks a predetermined set of closed-ended questions with limited response categories. This type is commonly used in surveys to gather statistically significant data from a large sample and project conclusions onto the broader population. Examples include surveys on alcohol consumption among youth, considering factors like age, gender, education level, and preferred beverages.
Open Structured Interviews
While the same questions are posed to each participant in the same sequence, open-ended answers allow interviewees to express themselves in their own words.
Unstructured Interviews
These interviews offer the most flexibility, with no fixed questions or sequence. Open-ended questions allow for in-depth exploration and adaptation to individual characteristics. However, they require more preparation from interviewers.
Semi-structured Interviews
This type strikes a balance between structure and flexibility. Interviewers have a set of questions but can adapt based on the interviewee’s responses. This allows for exploration while maintaining focus.
Directivity
Directed Interviews
To ensure comprehensive information gathering, interviewers use a list of topics to explore systematically throughout the interview.
Non-directed Interviews
These interviews prioritize creating a comfortable environment for open expression. They often resemble conversations among equals, fostering a more relaxed atmosphere.
Number of Participants
Group Interviews
This qualitative technique involves an interviewer guiding a group interaction based on a structured, semi-structured, or unstructured script. The goal is to elicit participants’ perceptions, experiences, and opinions on specific topics. The interviewer must be flexible, objective, and possess strong listening and moderation skills. Common methods include:
- Discussion groups: These address the limitations of structured interviews by allowing participants to elaborate on their experiences and viewpoints.
Phases of the Interview
- Preliminary Phase: Establishing contact with the interviewee and scheduling the interview.
- First Round: Welcoming the interviewee and ensuring a comfortable environment.
- Exploration Phase: Allowing the interviewee to express themselves at their own pace and actively listening to understand their situation and needs.
- Final Stage: Summarizing key points, addressing any remaining questions, and concluding the interview.
Formulating Questions
- Open-ended questions: Encourage detailed responses and provide rich information.
- Closed-ended questions: Elicit specific, concise answers.
- Leading questions: Suggest a desired answer and should be used cautiously.
- Clarification questions: Help to deepen understanding of specific points.
Factors Influencing the Interview Process
- Interviewer’s attitude: Building rapport and trust is crucial for obtaining honest and open responses.
- Preparation: Thorough preparation ensures a smooth and focused interview.
- Pace: Adapting to the interviewee’s pace allows for comfortable expression.
- Two-way process: Active listening and engagement create a balanced interaction.
- Communication: Both verbal and nonverbal cues contribute to effective communication.
- Time and place: Choosing a suitable time and a quiet, uninterrupted location is essential.
Questions in Questionnaires
Questionnaire design involves careful consideration of question types based on the information they elicit:
According to the Constraint They Permit
- Open-ended questions: Allow respondents to answer in their own words, providing qualitative data that can be more challenging to analyze.
- Closed-ended questions: Offer a limited set of response categories, making data analysis more straightforward. They can be further divided into:
- Dichotomous/alternative response: Present two mutually exclusive options (e.g., yes/no).
- Multiple choice response: Provide several response options.
According to Their Nature
- Exos, identification, or background questions: Gather basic information about respondents (e.g., age, gender, location).
- Information questions: Assess respondents’ knowledge about the survey topic.
- Action and motivation questions: Explore respondents’ activities and reasons behind them.
- Intentions, expectations, or aspirations questions: Investigate respondents’ goals and desires.
- Opinion questions: Reveal respondents’ subjective viewpoints on various topics.
According to Their Function
- Introduction or contact questions: Establish rapport and introduce the survey topic.
- Substantive questions: Focus on the core research questions.
- Change of subject questions: Transition between different topics.
- Filter questions: Screen respondents to determine their eligibility for subsequent questions.
- Control questions: Verify the consistency and accuracy of responses.
- Buffer questions: Ease the transition between sensitive topics.
- Battery questions: A series of questions exploring a single topic in depth.
By understanding the various types and techniques of interviewing, researchers can effectively gather valuable data and insights to advance their understanding of human behavior and social phenomena.