Good Morning

Now that you are done in

Chapters 1 to 3...

Are you ready to

conduct a research
interview or
questionnaire?
Research Intruments
Data Collection
Interview
Types of Qualitative Research Interviews
1. Structured Interviews
The primary goal of structured interviews is to ask the same set of questions to all
participants. This makes later data comparisons between participants or groups
simpler.

In a structured interview, the researcher creates a set of interview questions in advance

and these questions are asked in the same order so that responses can easily be placed in
similar categories. A structured interview is also known as a patterned interview, planned
interview or a standardized interview.

Note: Structure interviews are not flexible. This means new questions
cannot be asked impromptu (i.e. during the interview) as the
structured interview questions must be followed.
To maintain consistency across interviews, it’s
important to follow these guidelines:
All questions should be written in advance (including
probes)
Probing Questions: Probing questions are used to get more
information about an answer or clarify something.
Questions should be written in great detail so that they can
be used verbatim during interviews.
The sequence of questions should be pre-decided and
consistent across interviews.
Example::
Example:
Types of Qualitative Research Interviews
2. Unstructured Interviews
Unstructured interviews do not use any set questions, instead, the interviewer asks open-
ended questions based on a specific research topic, and will try to let the interview flow
like a natural conversation. The interviewer modifies his or her questions to suit the
candidate's specific experiences.

As a result, each unstructured interview is different and the questions change over time.

Note: Unstructured interviews are more flexible as questions can be

adapted and changed depending on the respondents’ answers.
Deciding What Information You Need
Think of Patton’s 6 types of questions related to:
Behavior or experience.
Opinion or belief.
Feelings.
Knowledge.
Sensory.
Background or demographic.
Using Open-Ended Questions
Avoid using ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions like ‘Did you like working
at [xxx]’ or ‘How many people were there at the time’ etc.
Instead, use open-ended questions that allow the
interviewee to share their experience in depth, giving them
freedom to express their thoughts.
Some examples of open-ended research questions:
“How do you feel about working at [xxx] during your initial
years there?”
“Can you describe the attitudes and approach to work of the
other people working with you at the time?”
“Tell me more about your relationship with your peers”.
Example
Types of Qualitative Research Interviews
3. Semi-structured Interviews
In semi-structured interviews, you prepare an interview guide that describes which topics
will be explored during the interview, but the actual questions are not pre-written.

In a semi-structured interview, the interviewer is at liberty to deviate from the set

interview questions and sequence as long as he or she remains with the overall scope of
the interview.

Note:
In some way, it represents the midpoint between structured and
unstructured interviews
Example
How to conduct
interview
Face-to-Face Interview Tele-Interview E-mail/Messenger
A face-to-face interview is a
A tele-interview is a type of
interview that is conducted through
Interview
type of interview where the a video or audio call. In this type of Interviewing using pre-set
researcher and the interviewee interview, the researcher gathers questions and allowing them
relevant information by
exchange information to respond via email to the
communicating with the respondent
physically. interview questions.
via a video call or telephone
conversation.
Interview Consent
Form
Is it important?
 The informed consent form, which is to be read and
signed/agreed by each participant, should state in
clear understandable language:

That the participant is volunteering to participate in your

evaluation.
The expected length of time for the evaluation session (the
evaluator should have some idea of how long a session will
take after performing pilot testing).
That the participant can withdraw anytime, for any reason, or
for no reason at all.
That you are taking data that the participant helps generate.
That the data are taken anonymously (neither the name of
the participant nor any other kind of identification will be
associated with data after it has been collected).
 The informed consent form, which is to be read and
signed/agreed by each participant, should state in
clear understandable language:

That the participant understands any foreseeable risks or

discomforts.
That the participant understands any benefits (e.g.,
educational benefit or just the satisfaction of helping make a
good design) and/or compensation to participants (if there is
payment, state exactly how much; if not, say so explicitly).
All researcher/evaluator contact information.
That they can ask the researcher questions at any time.
Whether any kind of recording (e.g., video, audio,
photographic, or holodeck) involving the participant will be
made and how you intend to use it, who will view it (and not),
and by what date it will be erased or otherwise destroyed.
Research Questionnaire
Be fully engaged with the task
in front you.
Research Questionnaire
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always
the result of a commitment to excellence,
intelligent planning and focused effort.”