Structured Interview: An Overview
The use of structured interviews in research and practice has become increasingly popular in recent decades. This method of data collection involves the use of pre-determined questions and a standardized format of interviewing that can be used to measure and assess a variety of characteristics in individuals or groups. This article offers an overview of structured interviews, including a discussion of their advantages and disadvantages, the various types of structured interviews, and how to conduct an effective structured interview.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Structured interviews offer a number of advantages over unstructured, informal interviews. They are reliable and valid in that they use pre-determined questions that are consistent across different interviewers and interviews. This ensures that the data collected is valid and reliable, as the questions are measuring the same attributes each time. Additionally, structured interviews allow for the interviewer to remain neutral and unbiased throughout the process, as each interviewer is using the same set of questions for each interviewee.
Despite these advantages, structured interviews also have some drawbacks. These include the potential inflexibility of the questions, as the interviewer is not able to adjust questions to the individual’s responses or ask follow-up questions. Additionally, the use of structured interviews can lead to respondent fatigue, as the same set of questions is used for each respondent. Finally, the use of highly structured interviews can lead to a lack of depth in the data collected.
Types of Structured Interviews
There are several different types of structured interviews that can be used, depending on the needs of the research or the context of the interview. The most common type is the standardized interview, which involves the use of pre-determined questions that are asked of all respondents. This type of interview is often used in job interviews, as it allows the interviewer to make comparisons between applicants.
Another type of structured interview is the semi-structured interview, which involves the use of pre-determined questions, but also allows for the interviewer to ask follow-up questions or adjust the questions to the individual’s responses. This type of interview is often used in qualitative research, as it allows for a more in-depth exploration of the topic being studied.
Finally, the most structured type of interview is the structured observation interview. This type of interview is often used in clinical or psychological research, as it allows the interviewer to observe the respondent’s behavior and responses in a controlled environment.
Conducting an Effective Structured Interview
When conducting a structured interview, it is important to ensure that the interview is conducted in a professional manner. This includes making sure that the interviewer is well-prepared, with an understanding of the purpose of the interview and the questions to be asked. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the interview is conducted in a quiet, comfortable setting, and that the interviewer is respectful and open-minded throughout the process. Finally, it is important to make sure that the interviewee is comfortable and that the interviewer is providing enough time for the respondent to answer the questions fully.
Conclusion
Structured interviews are a powerful tool for data collection, as they allow for the measurement of specific characteristics in individuals or groups. They offer a number of advantages, including reliability and validity, as well as the potential to remain neutral and unbiased. However, there are also some drawbacks to using structured interviews, such as potential inflexibility and respondent fatigue. There are several different types of structured interviews that can be used, depending on the needs of the research or the context of the interview. Finally, when conducting a structured interview, it is important to ensure that the interview is conducted in a professional manner, with the interviewer being well-prepared, respectful, and open-minded.
References
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