Interviews

Interviews serve some of the same functions as questionnaires but they seek to discover people's views by talking, rather than asking them to write their responses. Interviews can take many different forms but they are always a conversation with a purpose.

Types of interview

Interviews will be more, or less, structured and will vary in the depth of response required.

• A structured interview is, in many respects, like a questionnaire. The interviewer works through a set of pre-determined questions, face-to-face with the respondent. In the most extreme example, the interviewer ticks responses to closed questions ('Do you prefer tea or coffee?') Answers therefore are fairly brief.
• Semi-structured interviews are based on set questions but with some flexibility in the order or the ways in which the questions are asked. The interviewer has some freedom to adapt the interview. They may ask the respondent to elaborate if they want to know more or do not understand something. This is an advantage of interviews - clarifications and further information can always be requested.
• Unstructured or informal interviews will be based on a question which the interviewer wants to ask ('What did you think of this course?') but it can be asked in a number of ways and the respondents will have the opportunity to answer at some length and in some depth. Further detail can be probed and clarification can be sought.