Funnel technique

Definition

The funnel technique is a method used in interviews where the interviewer begins with broad, open-ended questions and gradually narrows down to more specific inquiries. This approach encourages the interviewee to provide detailed responses, allowing the interviewer to gather comprehensive information while establishing rapport and creating a comfortable atmosphere.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The funnel technique helps to build trust between the interviewer and interviewee, making it easier for the latter to open up during the conversation.
2. By starting with broad questions, interviewers can gather context and background information that can guide more focused questions later.
3. This technique is particularly useful in qualitative research, where understanding the depth of an interviewee's experiences and opinions is crucial.
4. Interviews using the funnel technique often result in richer data, as participants feel encouraged to share more personal anecdotes and insights.
5. It's important for interviewers to be adaptable when using the funnel technique, as some respondents may require more time on certain topics than others.

Review Questions

• How does the funnel technique enhance the quality of information gathered in an interview?
  • The funnel technique enhances information quality by allowing interviewers to start with broad questions that encourage detailed responses. This initial openness helps establish rapport, making interviewees feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts. As the conversation progresses, narrowing questions can delve into specifics based on the insights gained earlier, resulting in a richer understanding of the subject matter.
• Discuss how the use of open-ended questions in the funnel technique differs from closed-ended questions in terms of data collection.
  • Open-ended questions are fundamental to the funnel technique because they invite expansive responses, while closed-ended questions limit answers to specific choices. The former allows for qualitative data collection, capturing feelings, motivations, and narratives. In contrast, closed-ended questions yield quantitative data that is easier to analyze but provides less depth. This difference highlights how using open-ended inquiries can lead to a more nuanced understanding of a respondent's experiences.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the funnel technique in diverse interviewing scenarios and its impact on research outcomes.
  • The effectiveness of the funnel technique can vary across different interviewing scenarios. In contexts requiring in-depth understanding, like ethnographic studies or personal interviews, it fosters openness and rich narrative detail. However, in situations needing quick data collection or when addressing specific topics, it might be less effective compared to direct questioning. Ultimately, its impact on research outcomes is profound when depth is prioritized, as it can unveil insights that structured approaches may miss.

Related terms

Open-ended questions: Questions that cannot be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no' and encourage elaboration, providing deeper insights into the interviewee's thoughts and feelings.

Closed-ended questions:

Questions that can be answered with a single word or short phrase, often limiting the depth of the response and used for obtaining specific information.

Probing questions: Follow-up questions that encourage the interviewee to elaborate on their initial responses, providing further clarification or detail.