Lecture topic

Qualitative data collection:

One-to-one in depth interview

PRM Course
Participatory Rural Appraisal

Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan

Institute of Rural Management Anand
Dt. 17 and 18 September 2021
 References
In-depth interview
Ryan F., Coughlan M., and Cronin P. (2009) Interviewing in quality research:
The one-to-one interview, Research Methodology Series
Hennink M., Hutter I., and Bailey, A. (2011) In-depth interviews, Qualitative
Research Methods Kindle Edition, Ch. 6, pp. 108–133
Focused group discussion
Hennink M., Hutter I., and Bailey A. (2011) In-depth interviews, Qualitative
Research Methods Kindle Edition, Ch. 7, pp. 134–168

Case research
Bhattacherjee A. (2012) Case research, Social Science Research: Principles,
Methods, and Practices , Ch. 11, pp. 93–102

Observations
Baker L.M. (2006) Observation: A Complex Research Method, Library Trends, Vol.
55, No. 1, Summer: Research Methods, pp. 171–187
Hennink M., Hutter I., and Bailey A. (2011) Observations, Qualitative Research
Methods Kindle Edition, Ch. 8, pp. 169–202
In-depth interview - different from survey
Some space for the interviewer
Usually researcher is involved – not done through enumerators
Clarification question can be asked
Face-to-face – body language, facial expression, eye-contact

“knowledge producing conversation”; but not a two-way dialogue

Personality and attitude of the interviewer – would decide the quality

Interviewer must be a good listener, be non-judgemental,

friendly manner while maintaining professional competencies
Insider’s perspective
To distinguish from survey – interview schedule vs. interview guide

Interviewee may not be like just another survey respondent

They must be having certain info – which others don’t – personal exp.
 Ethical considerations in interview
Consent – in case of interview
Anonymity and confidentiality
Authenticity of the research

Role is limited to researcher – not solution provider, not anything else

- acts as a medium of expression
Special considerations – patients, convicts, emotive issues, etc.
 Types of interviews
Structured
Less flexibility – No deviation from the sequence (repeat or explain)
Interview schedule

Semi-structured
Flexible – thematic questions acts as a framework
Interviewee can control
Emphasis on individual and subjective perspective
Rich response (‘why you say so?’ type question to expand; probing)

Unstructured
Interviewer follows direction interviewee’s response
(accounting for the experience)
Open ended questions (knowledge on themes; – no predetermined
questions - ‘what happened next?’ type question)
 Types of questions
Introductory questions
Objective of research
What will happen to the data collection; anonymity; permission

General questions – close-ended: (i) Context/background (ii) Rapport

Opening questions
Related to the research topic (example: fertility decision)

Key question
Central to the research; cross-questions, rapport must be established
Need not follow order; probe
Closing questions
Fading out of the interview

Asking the interviewee if s/he wants to add

 example of interview guide
From the reference material -
 Analysis of interview data
Accurate data
Recorder
Transcript of the interview (cross-verification with the interviewee)

Minimize biases
Write down – what the researcher might have noted during interview
when it is still fresh in mind

At the most comfortable place

Own experience (FGD – other peoples experience; community

perspective – example friends’ experience with corruption )

Iterative – till no further information is obtained

24-hour rule
Advantages and challenges of in-depth interviews

(Hennink et al., 2011)

 Evaluating quality of in-depth interviews
Interpretive Open, can be comprehended, is the story heard, who spoke most?
Appropriate Is the method – ideal?
Coherent Is interview guide is linked to research question and design?
and valid
Reflexive Reflexive about interviewer’s subjectivity?

Transparent Are decisions on interview guide transparent?

Cultural Did interview questions respectful to the interviewee?

sensitive

Saturated Did interview questions exhaustive?

New Did interview produce new info?

information

Ethical Did interview follows ethical standard?

 Lecture topic
Qualitative data collection:
Focus group discussions

PRM Course
Participatory Rural Appraisal

Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan

Institute of Rural Management Anand
Dt. 17 September 2021
 Focus group discussion
When
Not much known on the topic

Broad range of views when participants feel comfortable to share/debate

Focus: on the topic; group: having certain characteristics

Discussion – not a question and answer (variety of perspectives)

When individual in-depth interviews do not suffice

(Points – counter-points, explore new dimensions)

Complement – other qualitative/quantitative research

Understand socio-cultural norms; group processes

 Focus group discussion
When

All kinds of research – exploratory, explanatory, policy-evaluation

Can iterate; Stop - when no new information

Not for collecting individual data (no confidentiality)

Kind of collegiality among the group members (free to share opinion)

FGD used as a primer: In conjunction with other kinds of methods

Not suitable for sensitive topic

Example: Malwai case – greater empowerment; ownership;

greater involvement of husband
 Thank You
Queries and Suggestions

E-mails:
happyhippu@gmail.com,
hippu@irma.ac.in