In-Depth Interview

Author:
 What is Interview?
• Interview: A Purposeful Social
Interaction, Conversation, Discussion

• Two, More People, One Questions, Other

Answers-----Research Question, Topic,
Theme
 Types of interviews
• Structured
– Structured questionnaire
– Mostly close-ended answers
• Semi-structured
– Fixed questions
– Open answers
In-depth
– Questions are based upon the responsesIn depths interviews
collected
 In-Depth Interview
• One-On-One Basis, Two Individuals---
Interviewer and Respondent

• Purpose: Data Collection, Detailed Discussion

on Research Topic, Theme

• Data: Personal Experiences, Accounts, Words,

Opinions, Views, Ideas, Perceptions (Own
Words)
Objectives of in-depth interviews
• Discover the interviewee’s own framework
of meanings
• Obtains rich, contextualized, in-depth
information
• Avoid imposing the researcher’s structures
and assumptions
– Avoid being directive

In depths interviews
 Structure and Control Issues
• Un-structured or Semi-structured?

• List of Questions In Advance?

• Control of Content and Direction?

 Structured Interview
• Structured Interview: Preconceived Topics/
Questions are Devised (Questionnaire)

• Fixed Order and Wording of Questions

• Participant Responds To Questions

• Close-Ended Questions---Choices Are Given

 In-Depth Interview
• One View: Unstructured in Format
• Researcher Introduces Topic

• No Extensive List---Predetermined, Focused,

Short Questions

• Awareness of Main Theme(s)

• Think Through Relevant Questions

 In-Depth Interview
(Unstructured)
• No Control Over Content and Direction
of Interview, Discussion

• Researcher Leaves Respondents to

Narrate Their Experiences, Accounts of
Events, Themes
 In-Depth Interview
• Second View: Semi-Structured in Format
• Researcher Introduces Topic, Theme

• Respondents Free To Elaborate on Topic

• Give Personal Account of Their Experience

• May Take Researcher in New but Related

Direction
 In-Depth Interview
(Semi-Structured)
• Researcher Has A List of Themes

• Tentative Questions---Written, Memorized

• Probing Questions---Specific Information

• Probing Further Information on Experience

• Some Control over Content and Direction of

Discussion
 Other Salient Features
• Medium: Face-to-Face, Telephone

• Acceptable Practices: Questions, Question

Order May Vary, Addition, Deletion
• Most Open-Ended Questions

• Actual Questions---Composed on Spot

• Questions out of Natural Rhythm
 Directiveness scale for
interview technique
1. Making encouraging noises

More directive
2. Reflecting on remarks made by the informant
3. Probing on the last remark by the informant
4. Probing an idea preceding the last remark
by the informant
5. Probing an idea expressed earlier in the
interview
6. Introducing a new topic

In depths interviews
 Qualities of questions in
in-depth interviews
• Open ended
• Neutral
• Sensitive
• Clear to the interviewee

In depths interviews
Keeping control of the interview
• Knowing what needs to be found
• Asking the right questions
• Giving appropriate verbal and non verbal
feedback

In depths interviews
 Common pitfalls in interviews
• Counseling • Interruptions
• Presenting the perspective • Competing distractions
of the interviewer • Stage fright
• Superficial interview • Embarrassing questions
• Receiving secret • Jumping from a subject to
information another
• Inaccurate translation • Teaching

In depths interviews
 Focus Group
(Group Interview)
• A Small Group of Individuals----Assembled to
Express Their Views, Opinions Theme, Topic

• Group Environment

• Qualitative Data Collection Method

• Data: Same As in In-Depth Interview;
Emotions, Feelings, Tensions, Contradictions
 Main Features
• Group Size----No Fixed Number

• Consideration: Each Member is Able to

Speak

• Common View: 6—12 Members

• Time: Meet 1-2 hours
 Main Features
• Composition: No Friends, Still Comfortable to
Talk to Each Other

• Basis of Composition: Common Experience,

Common Activities Knowledgeable About
Topic, Detailed Discussion

• Presence of Researcher (Takes notes, Observes)

• Multiple Sessions--- Multiple Focus Groups
 Main Features
• Both Unstructured and Semi-structured

• Respondents Free to Discuss Topic

• Researcher Takes an Active Role—
Controlling Content and Direction of
Group Discussion

• Questions Prepared In Advance?

 Main Features
• No Experts, Self-Appointed Experts,
Inhibit Reponses, Intimidate
Respondents

• Hostile Members----Asked to Leave in

Breaks
 Advantages of Focus Group
• Quick and Cheap---Data Collection Method
• Setting and Respondents---Variety

• Direct Talk to Respondents----Clarification,

Elaboration, Better Understanding of ideas

• Opportunity: Respondents to Develop

Reactions, Build Responses to Other Members
 Disadvantages
• Group Dynamics---Data Quality

• Dominance of one viewpoint----Dominant

Member

• Reluctance to Reveal Information

 In-Depth Interview and Focus
Group
• Choice: Not Matter of Either/Or

• Similarities: Role of Researcher Important--

Determining how the Discussion will Proceed

• Researcher can Potentially Influence the

Content

• Data :Same in Both

• Interview Guidelines: Same in Both
 Differences
• Total Number of Participants

• The Amount of Data Collected---Focus Group

vs A Set of Individual Interviews

• Focus Group: Access to Greater Number of

Respondents at one point

• In-depth Interview Provides more details about

each Respondent
 Interview Guidelines
• Moderation Style: Encourage Respondents,
Comfortable, Respected, Input is Needed

• Sensitive Ear----Interested in Their Views

• Warm, Avoid Over-Rapport and Conflict

• Remain Neutral, No Shock or Surprise

• Probing, Right Questions, From General to

Specific
 Interview Guidelines
• Check-List of Themes, No Reliance on Memory

• Taking Notes: Backbone of Data Collection

• Recording---Written, Audio-Taping (Reactivity

Problem)

• Jotting on Spot, Casual Jotting (Memory

Sparkers)
 Interview Guidelines
• Short Notes, Not Long
• Elaborate Notes—24 Hours

• Separate Notes---Different Categories

• Labels with Basic Information: Name, Code,

Demographics (Age, Gender, Race, etc.),
Location in Social Network, Time and Place of
Interview
 Analysis
• Look For Patterns---Themes, Perspectives

• Patterns Formed By Words of Respondents

• Topics: Consistent High Level Interest in Each
Group

• Group-to-Group Validation: Repetition of a

Theme in Most Groups
 Analysis
• Focus on Words of Respondents (Own
Interpretation Helpful)

• Process Begins with Researcher’s

Interest, Ends with Respondent’s Interest