Interviews

One of most important ways to obtain information. Important to note:

• Interviewing is a skill. Interviewers will have varying degrees of ability.
• Interviewing skills can be learnt & developed.
• Respondents differ in motivation and knowledge.
• Interviews differ in complexity.
• Subjective process, to be effective must involve people who communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally.
• Can be categorised as both:
  • Informal process
    • Like a conversation – asking questions to obtain information.
    • Questions can lead to other questions, e.g. “What do you mean?” and “Why do you think that?”.
  • formal process
    • Follows predetermined pattern.
    • More valid for research project as interviewees all asked same questions.