INTERVIEW

Presented by :

Mamta sharma

Ph.D scholar

JECRC University,

Jaipur

Contents1. Definition

2. Types of interview

3. Techniques of interview

4. Types of interview questions

5. Training of the interviewer

6. Points for interviewer training

7. Interviewer bias

8. Preparation for interview

9. Sequence of questions

10. Stages of interview investigation

11. After the interview

12. Strengths & weakness

13.  References

Definition

The qualitative research interview seeks to describe and the meanings of central themes in the life world of the subjects. The main task in interviewing is to understand the meaning of what the interviewees say. (Kvale,1996)

An interview is a conversation between two or more people where questions are asked by the interviewer to elicit facts or statements from the interviewee

Types of interview

Interviews range from:

Structured Semi-structured Unstructured

(directed) (non-directed)

Structured Interviews

have explicit research goals Are similar to a verbal approximation of a

survey questionnaire Allow for easy comparison between

participants Responses are shaped by the researcher

Semi structured

flexible

Have  framework of themes to be explored.

Unstructured Interviews

have an implicit research agenda Are similar to ‘steered conversations’ or ‘conversations with

a purpose’ Questions emerge typically from the conversation Skill is in finding the most appropriate time to ask questions

Choosing which type of interview to use depends on the nature of the research and who you are interviewing.

Interviews can move from being structured at the beginning to more unstructured at the end

Types of interview

Informal, conversational interview / unstructured -no predetermined questions are asked, in order to remain as open and adaptable as possible to the interviewee’s nature and priorities; during the interview the interviewer “goes with the flow”.

general interview guide approach /structured -the guide approach is intended to ensure that the same general areas of information are collected from each interviewee; this provides more focus than the conversational approach, but stilallows a degree of freedom and adaptability in getting the information from the interviewee.

Cont.

Standardized, open-ended interview -the same open-ended questions are asked to all interviewees; this approach facilitates faster interviews that can be more easily analyzed and compared.

. Closed, fixed-response interview -where all interviewees are asked the same questions and asked to choose answers from among the same set of alternatives. This format is useful for those not practiced in interviewing

Techniques of interview

Telephone interview Face to face interview Penal interview Informal, conversational interview Group interview Stress interview

Types of Interview Questions (1)

Degree of focus‘grand-tour questions:

Could you show me around the building?’‘What are the general purposes of this room?’

These enable a broad picture to be obtainedSpecific questions:

‘Please tell me more about …’

These help to find out more specific information

Types of Interview Questions (2)

Degree of open-endednessOpen-ended

‘How do you feel about …’ Used to discover participant’s perception of

the situation. Allows participants to interpret questions their own way. Allows new questions to be generated.

Closed questions‘Do you agree with the idea that …’

Restricts participant’s response. Useful to confirm findings

Types of Interview Questions (3)

Types of information Descriptive

Could you tell me what happened that evening? Structured

‘What factors do you think are involved in …?’ Contrast

‘In what way has the course improved since last year?’ Clarification

‘You talk about how objects represent people. Can you clarify for me what you mean?’

Follow-up ‘You mentioned organising space in the gallery. Can you tell me

how you organise the display space?’

Training of the Interviewer

Since the interviewer can control the quality of the result his/her training becomes crucial.

It is important to organize in detail and rehearse the interviewing process before beginning the formal study.

Points for Interviewer Training

Describe the entire study -interviewers need to know more than simply how to conduct the interview itself. They should have background of the study and why the study is important.

Explain the sampling logic & process -naïve interviewer may not understand why sampling is so important. They may wonder why you go through all the difficulties of

selecting the sample so carefully.

Interviewer Bias

Interviewer needs to know the many ways that they can inadvertently bias the results.

Understand why it is important that they not bias the study.

By slanting the results they might jeopardize the results or purpose of the study.

Preparation for Interview

Choose a setting with the least distraction. Explain the purpose of the interview. Address terms of confidentiality. Explain the format of the interview. Indicate how long the interview usually takes. Provide contact information of the interviewer. Allow interviewee to clarify any doubts about the

interview. Prepare a method for recording data, e.g., take notes.

Sequence of Questions

Get the respondents involved in the interview as soon as possible.

Before asking about controversial matters, first ask about some facts.

Intersperse fact-based questions throughout the interview. Ask questions about the present before questions about the

past or future. The last questions might be to allow respondents to provide any

other information they prefer to add and their impressions of the interview.

Stages of Interview Investigation

Thematizing - the why and what of the investigation. Designing -plan the design of the study. Interviewing -conduct the interview based on a guide. Transcribing -prepare the interview material for analysis. Analyzing -decide on the purpose, the topic, the nature and

methods of analysis that are appropriate. Verifying -ascertain the validity of the interview findings. Reporting -communicate findings of the study based on

scientific criteria.

After the Interview

Verify if the tape recorder, if used, worked throughout the interview.

Make any notes on your written notes. Write down any observations made during the interview.

Strengths & weakness Strengths depth of detail Unique advantge

Weakness complicated time consuming

References

Kael, Steinar. Interviews An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing, Sage Publications, 1996

Research interviewing techniques by Bill Gillham ,Mc graw hill publications,2000

http://www.wikipidia.com http://www.slideshare.com http://www.qualitative-research.net Other.