Structured Interviews

Definition

Structured interviews are a systematic and standardized method of interviewing that involves asking a predetermined set of questions in a specific order. This approach ensures consistency across interviews, making it easier to compare responses and analyze data. The use of structured interviews can be traced through the evolution of interviewing techniques, highlights the importance of having a clear research strategy, and supports the development of a professional interviewer persona by emphasizing preparation and adherence to guidelines.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structured interviews are often used in quantitative research due to their ability to produce reliable and comparable data.
2. The design of structured interviews requires careful crafting of questions to avoid bias and ensure clarity.
3. Interviewer training is crucial for structured interviews to maintain consistency and reduce variability in responses.
4. These interviews can be conducted in various formats, including face-to-face, telephone, or online, depending on the research needs.
5. Structured interviews can help build a professional interviewer persona by promoting skills like organization, clarity in communication, and adherence to research protocols.

Review Questions

• How do structured interviews contribute to the reliability and validity of research findings?
  • Structured interviews enhance reliability by standardizing the questions asked across all participants, minimizing variability in responses due to different interviewing styles. This consistency helps researchers compare and analyze data more effectively. Additionally, because the questions are designed to address specific research objectives, structured interviews support validity by ensuring that relevant information is collected from all respondents.
• Discuss the advantages and potential drawbacks of using structured interviews compared to other interviewing methods.
  • One major advantage of structured interviews is their ability to produce consistent and quantifiable data, which facilitates comparison across different subjects or groups. However, a potential drawback is that they may limit the depth of responses since they focus on predetermined questions. This rigidity can prevent interviewees from fully expressing their thoughts or experiences, leading to missed insights that might emerge in more flexible interview formats like semi-structured interviews.
• Evaluate how the historical evolution of interviewing methods has shaped the use of structured interviews in contemporary research practices.
  • The historical evolution of interviewing methods has shown a shift from unstructured approaches, which allowed for greater flexibility but less comparability, to more structured formats that prioritize consistency and data integrity. This change reflects a growing emphasis on scientific rigor in research practices, pushing researchers towards methodologies that yield reliable and replicable results. Today, structured interviews are seen as essential tools in quantitative research settings, aligning with modern expectations for data collection and analysis while building on lessons learned from earlier methods.

Related terms

Semi-structured Interviews: A flexible interview format that combines predetermined questions with the opportunity for open-ended responses, allowing for deeper exploration of topics.

Quantitative Research: A research method that focuses on quantifying data and typically employs structured interviews to gather measurable information.

Interview Protocol: A detailed plan that outlines the structure, questions, and guidelines for conducting an interview, ensuring that it is carried out consistently.