Structured interview

Definition

A structured interview is a research method where the interviewer asks a set of predetermined questions in a specific order, ensuring consistency and reliability in the data collected. This format allows for comparability across different interviews and minimizes variability, making it easier to analyze the responses quantitatively. The structured nature also helps the interviewer stay focused and reduces bias during the data collection process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structured interviews are often used in quantitative research because they provide standardized data that can be easily analyzed statistically.
2. The questions in a structured interview are designed ahead of time, which helps eliminate ambiguity and ensures that all participants answer the same questions.
3. Structured interviews are commonly employed in surveys, market research, and academic studies where specific information needs to be gathered consistently.
4. The format can lead to higher reliability in results since each participant is asked the same set of questions under similar conditions.
5. However, structured interviews may limit the depth of responses, as participants cannot elaborate freely on their thoughts or feelings.

Review Questions

• How does a structured interview differ from an unstructured interview in terms of data collection and analysis?
  • A structured interview differs from an unstructured interview primarily in its format and approach to data collection. In a structured interview, predetermined questions are asked in a specific order, which standardizes responses and facilitates quantitative analysis. In contrast, an unstructured interview allows for open-ended questions and a more conversational style, resulting in qualitative data that may be richer but harder to analyze systematically.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using structured interviews for research purposes?
  • The advantages of using structured interviews include consistency in data collection, ease of analysis, and reduced bias due to standardized questioning. They provide reliable data suitable for quantitative analysis. However, the disadvantages include a lack of depth in responses and potential rigidity, as participants may feel constrained by the format and unable to express their views fully or elaborate on their answers.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of structured interviews in capturing nuanced perspectives from participants compared to semi-structured interviews.
  • Structured interviews tend to be less effective at capturing nuanced perspectives because they focus on fixed questions that limit participants' ability to express complex thoughts. In contrast, semi-structured interviews allow for a blend of guided questions and spontaneous discussion, enabling deeper exploration of topics. This flexibility can uncover subtleties in participants' experiences and opinions that structured interviews might miss, making semi-structured interviews more suitable when richness of data is crucial.

Related terms

unstructured interview: An unstructured interview is a more flexible approach where the interviewer asks open-ended questions and allows for a free-flowing conversation, leading to richer qualitative data.

semi-structured interview: A semi-structured interview combines elements of both structured and unstructured interviews, featuring a mix of predetermined questions and the flexibility to explore topics in depth based on responses.

questionnaire: A questionnaire is a research tool consisting of a series of questions used to gather information from respondents, often in a written format, which can be structured or unstructured.