Interviewing Updated Summer 09 Mah1

INTERVIEWINTERVIEWLearning By Asking

3 primary forms of qualitative data 3 primary forms of qualitative data collectioncollection

1. Interview1. Interview 2. Observation2. Observation 3. Document Analysis3. Document Analysis

Definition of an InterviewDefinition of an Interview

purposeful conversation purposeful conversation aim is to get informationaim is to get information 2 people: interviewer and interviewee2 people: interviewer and interviewee 2+ interviewees may become focus group2+ interviewees may become focus group

Qualitative InterviewQualitative Interview

In-depth, detailed descriptive data in In-depth, detailed descriptive data in interviewee’s own wordsinterviewee’s own words

Intent is to understand the interviewee’s Intent is to understand the interviewee’s perspectiveperspective

Asking PermissionAsking Permission When you ask permission to interview When you ask permission to interview

someone for a qualitative study, it is just someone for a qualitative study, it is just that…gaining their permissionthat…gaining their permission Be very politeBe very polite Ensure them this is for classroom purposes onlyEnsure them this is for classroom purposes only Information received will not be shared outside the Information received will not be shared outside the

classroom and pseudonyms will be usedclassroom and pseudonyms will be used Make sure the time and location arranged is good Make sure the time and location arranged is good

for them first, you secondfor them first, you second

PURPOSE OF INTERVIEWING

…IS TO FIND OUT WHAT IS IN AND ON SOMEONE ELSE’S MIND...WE INTERVIEW PEOPLE TO FIND OUT FROM THEM THOSE THINGS WE CANNOT DIRECTLY OBSERVE...THE PURPOSE OF INTERVIEWING, THEN, IS TO ALLOW US TO ENTER INTO THE OTHER PERSON’S PERSPECTIVE. THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT PERSPECTIVE IS MEANINGFUL, KNOWABLE, AND ABLE TO BE MADE EXPLICIT. (Patton)

Listening for….Listening for…. Experience of participantsExperience of participants What experience looks like, feels like to What experience looks like, feels like to

participantsparticipants How people think about somethingHow people think about something ExpectationsExpectations How people perceive changeHow people perceive change

TYPES OF QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS

1. INFORMAL CONVERSATIONAL

2. INTERVIEW GUIDE

3. STANDARDIZED OPEN-ENDED

WHEN DEVELOPING INTERVIEW PROTOCOL CONSIDER

WORDINGCONTENTSEQUENCEFOLLOW UP (PROBES)

Wording of QuestionsWording of Questions

Ask open-ended questionsAsk open-ended questions

CONTENT OF INTERVIEWS: WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK

1. EXPERIENCE/BEHAVIOR QUESTIONS

2. OPINION/BELIEF 3. FEELING

4. SENSORY

5. KNOWLEDGE

6. BACKGROUND/DEMOGRAPHIC Patton

Interviewer’s JobInterviewer’s Job

Maintain controlMaintain control

Be preparedBe prepared

Be non-judgmentalBe non-judgmental

Take notes, Audio tape Take notes, Audio tape

Pay close attention to your OWN non-verbal communication and Pay close attention to your OWN non-verbal communication and remember it will play a role in how the interview proceeds. remember it will play a role in how the interview proceeds.

STANDARD TEMPLATE FOR INTERVIEW PROTOCOL

Working Title of Study Name of Interviewer (if there are multiple researchers): Name of Interviewee and Position: Place: Date: Starting Time: Ending Time:

Introduction: Write your opening statements. Thank person for participating. Even if you have discussed study purpose when setting up the interview, repeat it. Give succinct overview of study, promise confidentiality, get consent form signed, ask for permission to audio tape the interview. Confirm time interview will end.

Interview Questions

Closing: Thank the person for their time and contribution to your study. Mention again that this is a confidential interview. If you have plans to provide participants with copies of your study say so and how here. You might keep door open for follow up questions.

Research Teams Research Teams Develop Interview Protocols

Use standardized format -- works well when there are multiple researchers.

Think about wording of questions and what you hope to learn.

Construct open-ended questions. Show no bias. Ask one question at a time.

Consider sequence of questions. Consider opening and closing of interview.

INTERVIEW SIMULATIONSpilot test of interview protocol

During Class #5

Present your 2 research questions & sampling criteria Find member of class who meets criteria-that person

becomes interviewee Choose 1 member of group to conduct the pilot

interview Pilot interview conducted in front of class for

immediate feedback Groups meet to revise based on what is learned from

pilot

Professor Approval of InstrumentProfessor Approval of Instrument

Each group must get professor approval before conducting any interviews