Structured interviews

Definition

Structured interviews are a qualitative research method where the interviewer asks a predetermined set of questions in a specific order, ensuring consistency across interviews. This method is designed to gather specific information and allows for easier comparison of responses, making it particularly useful in descriptive research where clear data collection is essential.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structured interviews typically consist of closed-ended questions, allowing for quantitative analysis of responses.
2. They are often used in surveys and experiments, making it easier to quantify data and analyze trends.
3. Interviewers must follow the script strictly to avoid introducing bias, ensuring that every participant responds to the same questions in the same manner.
4. This method is particularly beneficial when researchers need to collect data from a large sample size for statistical analysis.
5. Structured interviews can enhance reliability but may limit the depth of responses compared to more flexible interview styles.

Review Questions

• How do structured interviews differ from unstructured interviews in terms of data collection and analysis?
  • Structured interviews differ from unstructured interviews primarily in their format and purpose. In structured interviews, a predetermined set of questions is asked in a specific order, promoting uniformity and making data comparison straightforward. Unstructured interviews, on the other hand, allow for open-ended questions and a conversational approach, which can lead to more in-depth insights but may complicate data analysis due to variability in responses.
• Discuss how structured interviews contribute to the reliability of descriptive research findings.
  • Structured interviews enhance the reliability of descriptive research findings by standardizing the way data is collected across all participants. By using the same set of questions for each interviewee, researchers minimize variability that could arise from different interviewing styles or question phrasing. This consistency ensures that results are comparable and can be generalized across a larger population, thus strengthening the validity of the research outcomes.
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of using structured interviews in conducting descriptive research, considering both methodological rigor and participant engagement.
  • Using structured interviews in descriptive research offers significant strengths such as enhanced consistency and ease of data analysis, which can lead to robust findings. However, this approach also has weaknesses; it may restrict participant engagement and limit the depth of responses, as interviewees might feel constrained by the fixed questions. While structured interviews ensure methodological rigor, they might miss out on capturing nuanced information that could provide richer insights into participants' perspectives.

Related terms

Qualitative Research: A research approach that focuses on understanding human behavior and the reasons that govern such behavior, often involving open-ended questions.

Questionnaire: A research instrument consisting of a series of questions designed to gather information from respondents, which can be used in both structured and unstructured formats.

Data Consistency: The degree to which the same data collection method yields the same results across different instances, important for the reliability of research findings.