Question

Question 2: Explain at least three interview methods. What are the advantages and disadvantages of interview methods? (2marks)

Answer 1

Interviews are considered as qualitative technique of research. Basically there are three types of interview formats. They are,

1. Structured Interview

In this kind of interview, there will be predetermined series of questions which will be asked to the interviewees in the same manner. According to the details required, interview questions will be decided already. This is used commonly in survey research. Different interviewees have different answers to the already determined questions of the interviewer and thus it will help make the responses more accurate. Some disadvantages are also there. Respondents are having only very few option which they are forced to select in some cases. The scope of assessment or evaluation from the obtained information is limited.

2. Semi - structured Interview

In this method of interview in research, researcher will be having a set of already prepared questions abut also he will be asking additional questions along with it. Thus it is both unstructured as well as structured. But the interview will be carried out following the basic research interview structure. With this method,qualitative data which are more reliable can be collected. The structure of interview is more flexible. But since the entire guidelines or the structure is not followed in this type of interview comparison between responses will be difficult and will affect its accuracy.

3. Unstructured Interview

In this type of interview format no predetermined questions will be there. The data is collected in an informal way. This is basically like a conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee or the respondent about the topic which the researcher want to know about. No guidelines will be followed by the researcher while doing the interview. This makes researcher easy to ask questions and know more about the participant.

These interviews are done through different ways

1. Personal interview - directly interviewing the respondent

2. Telephonic interview - Through telephone

3. Email and web page interviews - Type of online surveys.