Research Techniques: Interviews

Planning an Applied Research Project Chapter 10 – Research Techniques: Interviews© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Learning ObjectivesExplain the purpose(s) of research interviewsList the types of interviewsIdentify key challenges in conducting a research interviewPrepare for an effective interviewPlan and conduct an effective interviewPrevent bias in an interview© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Key TermsAcquiescence biasAuspices biasCourtesy biasDoor-to-door interviewingDoorknob questionsFilter questionsFocus groupsGroup interviewsIntercept interviewingInterviewer errorInterview fatigueInterview protocolInterview scheduleLeading questionsLoaded questionsOrder biasProbing questionsResearch interviewsRespondent biasSemi-structured interviewsSocial desirability biasStages of interview processStatus biasStructured interviewsUnstructured interviews© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Using InterviewsDefinition of InterviewingThe process of collecting information from an individual or group in order to understand actions, decisions, policies, or practices in some depth.© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Using Interviews (cont’d)Reasons for InterviewingEffective way method to collect a lot of important informationMore detailed information than questionnairesExtra information since people like to talk about their work and their programs or companySuggestions for future research© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Formats of InterviewsResearch interviewsScoping interviewsPersonnel interviewsEvaluation interviews Networking interviewsFeedback interviews© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Formats of Interviews (cont’d)Formats of InterviewsPersons InvolvedStructuredSemi-structuredUnstructuredOpenClosedIndividual interviewsSmall group interviewsLarge group interviews© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Formats of Interviews (cont’d)Structured InterviewsHard to develop the protocolEasy to conductFollow up questions ahead of timeRequires less interviewer skillsLimits responses – may block avenues of discussionCan be full of leading questionsEasy to take notesEasy to analyze and compare responses© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Formats of Interviews (cont’d)Semi-structured InterviewsEasy to develop the protocolDifficult to conductFollow up can be easy or difficult, depending on interviewee and interviewerRequires good interviewer skillsEncourages wide rage of responses – may block core issuesDifficult to take good notesDifficult to analyze and compare responses© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Formats of Interviews (cont’d)Unstructured InterviewsEasy to develop the protocolDifficult to conduct for research; easy to conduct since it is just listeningFollow up can be easy or difficult, depending on interviewee and interviewerRequires real contact and trustEncourage wide rage of responses – may block core issuesDifficult to take good notesDifficult to analyze and compare responses© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Interview ProtocolScheduleWarm up and introductionList of questionsFollow up questionsProbes and promptsOrder you would ask questionsLast two golden questions (What have I not asked that you want to tell me? Who else would you suggest that I interview?)Closing speech, review, and thank you© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Interview Protocol (cont’d)Interview PermissionGive a person a chance to say yes or noExplain privacy, purpose of interview, recording, use of informationHonor ethical issues around interviewingProvide appropriate recognition of time spentConduct yourself professionallyOffer checking words, phrases, quotes, statistical data© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Preparing for the InterviewQuestions to Use in InterviewsFilter questionsPrompting questionsProbing questionsDoorknob questions© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Preparing for the Interview (cont’d)Questions to Avoid in InterviewsLeading questionsLoaded questionsYes/no© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Preparing for the Interview (cont’d)Tips for InterviewingDetermine how you will take notesPrepare well organized interview schedule – with probe (or ICQ if appropriate) and follow up questions ready (if necessary)Present yourself professionallyWrite script to introduce yourself and your purpose (s)Listen carefully to what is actually saidAsk when something is not clear© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Preparing for the Interview (cont’d)Tips for Interviewing (cont’d)Respect his or her time so be promptRecognize what he or she cannot tell youRefrain from interpreting what is said; pay attention to exactly what the interviewee saysRemember the phases of a research interview – beginning, middle, end, and wrap upHonor the time commitmentClose the interview thoughtfullyThank the person© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Preparing for the Interview (cont’d)Improving the InterviewConsider using ICQ – interview control questions – to assess attitudes and relationshipsFrame the interviewBuild trustCultivate curiosityUse active listening – scanning for meaning and non verbal behavior while interviewingSelect your tone of listeningMonitor foreground and background© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Stages of a Research InterviewArranging an interviewObtaining permissionEstablishing guidelinesWarm-upAsking questionsFollowing up on informationChecking interpretations and recordingEnding and summarizingThanking with a hand written note© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Stages of a Research Interview (cont’d)Challenges of InterviewingRecording or note takingListening carefully and closely and not hearing and recording what you want to hearPreparing good follow up questionsDeveloping prompts and probesAvoiding leading or loaded questionsAnalyzing the resultsIndividual interviewsSeveral interviews© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Stages of a Research Interview (cont’d)Prejudice in Interviews Acquiescence biasAuspices biasCourtesy biasOrder biasRespondent biasSocial desirability biasStatus bias© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Stages of a Research Interview (cont’d)Problems in Collecting DataNo responsesDelayed responsesDesire to please – interviewer or intervieweeInconsistency in responses or in understanding what is being askedBias in respondentBias in interviewer or observerPoor notesNote taking errors© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Unusual Interview FormatsTelephone interviewsGroup interviews (and not focus groups)Door to door interviewsFollow up interviews© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.Review of Class Session Anything unclear?One thing that I was surprised to learn from this class is © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.