Structured interview

Definition

A structured interview is a research method involving a standardized set of questions asked in the same order to each participant, allowing for consistent data collection and easier comparison of responses. This format helps minimize bias and enhances reliability, making it particularly useful in qualitative research and performance studies.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structured interviews are often used in surveys and assessments, where uniformity in questioning is essential to gather comparable data.
2. This interviewing technique can lead to higher reliability since every participant responds to the same questions in the same order.
3. Unlike unstructured interviews, structured interviews limit the scope for follow-up questions, which can restrict deeper exploration of topics.
4. Structured interviews are beneficial in performance studies because they help create a clear framework for analyzing responses across different subjects or groups.
5. Training interviewers is vital for conducting structured interviews to ensure they adhere to the script and maintain consistency throughout the process.

Review Questions

• How does a structured interview contribute to the reliability of data collection in research?
  • A structured interview enhances reliability by ensuring that each participant is asked the same set of questions in the same order. This consistency allows researchers to compare responses more easily and minimizes potential biases that could arise from varying question phrasing or order. As a result, the data collected is more dependable, providing a solid foundation for analysis.
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using structured interviews compared to unstructured interviews in performance studies.
  • Structured interviews provide clear advantages such as consistency, reliability, and ease of analysis due to their standardized format. However, they also come with disadvantages like limited flexibility, which can restrict the depth of conversation and exploration of complex topics. In performance studies, while structured interviews ensure comparability across subjects, they may overlook nuanced insights that could emerge from more open-ended discussions found in unstructured interviews.
• Evaluate how training interviewers in structured interview techniques can impact the quality of research outcomes.
  • Training interviewers effectively in structured interview techniques can significantly enhance the quality of research outcomes by ensuring that they consistently follow the prescribed format and maintain neutrality during questioning. Well-trained interviewers are more likely to create an environment conducive to honest responses and avoid introducing bias into the process. This ultimately leads to more valid and reliable data, allowing researchers to draw accurate conclusions from their findings.

Related terms

interview guide: A tool used to outline the specific questions and topics to be covered during an interview, ensuring all necessary areas are addressed consistently.

qualitative research: A research approach focused on understanding human behavior, experiences, and social contexts through methods like interviews and observations, emphasizing depth over breadth.

data validity: The extent to which research findings accurately represent the phenomenon being studied, crucial for ensuring the credibility of results in structured interviews.