Interviewer

Definition

An interviewer is an individual who conducts a survey or research interview by asking questions and recording responses from participants. This role is crucial in face-to-face interviews as the interviewer not only gathers data but also builds rapport with respondents, which can significantly influence the quality and accuracy of the information collected. The interviewer's skills, demeanor, and ability to communicate effectively play a vital part in the overall success of the data collection process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The effectiveness of an interviewer can greatly impact response rates and the quality of data collected during face-to-face interviews.
2. Interviewer training is essential for ensuring that they understand how to ask questions clearly and engage with respondents appropriately.
3. Interviews can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, depending on how much flexibility the interviewer has in following the interview schedule.
4. Non-verbal cues and body language from the interviewer can significantly influence how comfortable respondents feel during the interview.
5. Interviewer effects refer to variations in responses that are attributable to the presence or behavior of the interviewer rather than the content of the questions.

Review Questions

• How does the demeanor and communication style of an interviewer affect the quality of data collected during face-to-face interviews?
  • The demeanor and communication style of an interviewer are critical in creating a comfortable atmosphere for respondents. If an interviewer is friendly, open, and attentive, it encourages participants to share more accurate and detailed responses. Conversely, a hostile or indifferent attitude can lead to discomfort and potentially skewed data as respondents may provide less honest answers or become disengaged from the process.
• Discuss the importance of interviewer training in conducting effective face-to-face interviews.
  • Interviewer training is vital because it equips interviewers with the skills needed to ask questions clearly, manage interpersonal dynamics, and handle unexpected situations during interviews. Trained interviewers learn how to build rapport with respondents, which is essential for obtaining genuine responses. Additionally, they gain knowledge about ethical considerations and how to respect participants' boundaries while ensuring data quality.
• Evaluate the potential impacts of interviewer bias on research outcomes in face-to-face interviews.
  • Interviewer bias can significantly skew research outcomes by introducing systematic errors in data collection. If an interviewer unconsciously influences responses through their tone, body language, or even question phrasing, it can lead participants to give answers that align with the interviewer's expectations rather than their true opinions. This impact underscores the importance of employing techniques to minimize bias and ensure that interviews are conducted objectively, preserving the integrity of the research findings.

Related terms

Interview Schedule: A structured set of questions that an interviewer follows during the interview process to ensure consistency in data collection.

Sampling Frame: A list or database from which a sample is drawn for an interview study, providing the pool of potential respondents.

Response Bias:

A systematic tendency of respondents to answer questions inaccurately or dishonestly, often influenced by the interviewer’s behavior.