Data Collection:

Interviews
By: Kareem Mitchell, Raphael Maxwell
Craig Williamson and Jamie Roye
Define the method of data collection

An interview is a conversation used to collect data from a small group of subjects on a

broad range of topics.A research interview involves an interviewer, who coordinates the
process of the conversation and asks questions, and an interviewee, who responds to
those questions.Interviews are used to collect data from a small group of subjects on a
broad range of topics
Advantages of an interview

● It provides flexibility for those who are carrying out the interview
● Interviewers can judge the non-verbal behaviour of the respondent
● The interviewer can decide the place for an interview in a private and silent place,
unlike the ones conducted through emails which can have a completely different
environment.
● The interview has a better response rate than mailed questions, and people who
cannot read nor write can also answer the questions.
● The interviewer can control over the order of the question and can judge the
spontaneity of the respondent as well.
Disadvantages of an Interview

● Conducting interview studies can be very costly as well as very time-consuming

● An interview can cause biases. For example, the respondent’s answer can be
affected by his reaction to the interview’s race, class, age or physical appearance.
● Interview studies provide less anonymity, which is a big concern for many
respondents.
● There is a lack of accessibility to respondents (unlike conducting mailed
questionnaire study) since the respondents can be in around any corner of the
world or country.
Essential data collection equipment needed
for Interviews

● Video Recording Device

● Microphone
Essential data collection equipment needed
for Interviews cont

● Telecommunicating apps (If meeting in person is not possible)

Essential data collection equipment needed
for Interviews cont

● Storage Device or Cloud Storage Sites