Structured interview

Definition

A structured interview is a data collection method where the interviewer asks a set of predetermined questions in a specific order, allowing for standardized responses that can be easily compared across different subjects. This approach ensures consistency and reliability in responses, making it easier to analyze the data collected. By following a strict format, the interviewer minimizes bias and maintains focus on the research objectives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structured interviews are highly effective for gathering quantitative data, as they facilitate straightforward comparisons between different respondents' answers.
2. This type of interview can limit the depth of responses since it confines participants to specific questions and response options.
3. Structured interviews are commonly used in surveys and experiments, particularly when researchers need to gather uniform data across large groups.
4. The format helps reduce interviewer bias since each participant is asked the same questions in the same way, ensuring fairness in the data collection process.
5. While structured interviews are efficient for collecting data, they may miss nuanced insights that more flexible interview styles could reveal.

Review Questions

• How does a structured interview enhance the reliability of research findings compared to unstructured interviews?
  • A structured interview enhances the reliability of research findings by providing a standardized format where each participant answers the same set of predetermined questions. This consistency allows for better comparison of responses across different subjects, reducing variability caused by interviewer bias or differing question phrasing. In contrast, unstructured interviews can lead to inconsistent data, making it harder to draw valid conclusions.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using structured interviews in qualitative research.
  • Structured interviews offer several advantages in qualitative research, such as ease of data analysis and increased reliability due to standardized questioning. However, they also come with disadvantages like limiting participants' ability to express their thoughts freely or elaborate on their experiences. This rigidity can lead to missed opportunities for deeper insights that might be captured through more open-ended or flexible interviewing techniques.
• Evaluate how the use of structured interviews can influence the overall research design and its implications for data interpretation.
  • The use of structured interviews significantly influences research design by necessitating careful question formulation and the selection of relevant topics prior to data collection. This structured approach can streamline data analysis but may also lead to oversimplification of complex topics, potentially skewing interpretation. Researchers must balance the desire for uniformity with the need for flexibility in understanding participants' perspectives, which impacts how results are viewed and applied in broader contexts.

Related terms

Interview Guide: A list of questions and topics to cover during an interview, often used to ensure that all relevant subjects are addressed.

Qualitative Research: A research method focused on understanding human behavior and experiences through non-numerical data, often involving open-ended questions.

Data Saturation: The point in qualitative research when no new information is being discovered from data collection, indicating that enough data has been gathered.