Day 9 Data Collection Interviews and Focus Groups

Day 9: Data Collection Interviews and Focus Groups Sioape Kupu Health Research Officer

Research process The 3 rd and 4 th step: Design and Collecting Data involves creating your Research Methodology and Methods and then collecting the data.

Day 9 Objectives What is an interview? Describe the types of interviews. Understand the concepts and the process of an interview What is a focus group? Who, Why, Where and When to conduct a focus group. Differentiate between an interview and focus group.

Interviews Most common method of data collection in qualitative research An interview is a conversation between two or more people (interviewer and interviewee(s)) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee(s). An interview usually takes an hour or so.

Types of Interview q Structured interviews - too strict q Unstructured interviews – too flexible (go with the flow) q Semi structured interviews - balanced q The use of vignettes- Vignettes are case studies or scenarios about how they would respond to that particular scenario (Semi-structured or structured) q Group interviews (not focus groups) - Group Interview, asking question at one time and your getting answers from each one.

Sampling Unlike quantitative which usually requires a substantial amount of individuals for their study. Interviews and Focus Groups only require a few but key participants. The participants are sampled based on their ability or characteristics to give very detailed and rich information regarding the topic of interest. Interviews only require about 6 -10 individuals but if you have a lot of human resources and assistants to spare, the number can increase.

Preparing for Interviews Creating an interview schedule Use objectives and literature review to help design it Use interview schedule as a guide Objective General of study and specific areas of research But; Cannot Need interview from interview schedule alone to be flexible in terms of order and content

Practical Issues Equipment checklist: Recording equipment Writing material Names and addresses Consent Asking forms permissions - Ask whether it is ok to push record, and ask permission of what else you may need to be done.

Interview Schedule The schedule that guides the interview in terms of topics, probes, timing etc. The schedule is important however, you should not be limited to the schedule it is simply a guide. You need to be flexible and adapt to the flow of the conversation in the interview.

Pre-Interview Establish Rapport – Introduce yourself and thank them for their time and willingness to participate Explain the nature/purpose of the study Motivation – explain the benefits of the information being gathered from them Time line – explicitly state how long the interview is meant to take.

Probes & Prompts The silent probe The “go on, I’m listening” probe Journalists. Where? The immediate elaboration probe q Can The probes: When? Who? you tell me more about that? retrospective probe q Can I take you back to something you said earlier?

After the Interview Summarize the Interview Maintain Rapport – thank them for their cooperation End in a good note. Re-affirm that the interview was very helpful, and that was all the information you needed and it will remain confidential. Remind mobile-phone/ e-mail etc. contact details so that they can contact you whenever they wish.

After the Interview Check material Transcription Write – transforming audio data into up ASAP. Things q Body to include in writing up language/ atmosphere/ tone and context. Recording Letters personal experiences. of thanks.

Conducting the Interview Starting the interview v Physical conditions, clothing, etc. v Seating arrangements v Initial introduction, confidentiality v Recording v Use the interview schedule During the interview v Use the interview schedule v Use probing techniques, when further information is required. v Remain polite and interested. Closing the interview v End on a positive note v Thank and affirm confidentiality v Remind how information will be used

Focus group A group discussion to access memories, feelings and perceptions concerning a specific focused topic A data collection procedure for qualitative research. The interviewer acts as a facilitator.

Focus group More of a group discussion not interviews. Emerged from marketing. You recruit people who are relevant to the topic and they must have something in common. Approximately 7 -10 people is enough and that these people get along and they feel they want to participate because they are intimate about the topic. Have enough variability of views

Why do focus groups? Generally, to collect qualitative information from a specific group of individuals for marketing, research, or evaluation purposes. Specifically, to listen and gather information from carefully selected participants who have certain characteristics in common so as to understand how people feel or think about an issue, product, or service. The intent of focus groups is to promote self-disclosure among participants. We want to know what people really think and feel.

Who should participate in a focus group? Approximately 7 to 10 people - a group small enough for everyone to have the opportunity to share insights and yet large enough to provide diversity of perceptions Participants must be similar to each other in a way that is important to the researcher (i. e. , purpose of study). This similarity is the basis for recruitment and participants are informed of these common characteristics at the beginning of the discussion

Who conducts the focus group? A trained, neutral interviewer. (i. e. , moderator, facilitator). Asks questions, listens, keeps the conversation on track, and makes sure everyone has a chance to share their memories, experiences, feelings and perceptions. You have to debrief people about why they were all brought together.

Where should you conduct a focus group? Remember, disclose. we want participants to self- Should conduct a focus group in a comfortable, permissive, non-threatening environment. Do not take them to places where they might remember some bad things and they feel uncomfortable.

When should one conduct a focus group? Before, during, or after a program or event. Before = Needs Assessment, asset analysis, a climate survey, planning, and pilot testing During = Formative evaluation, feedback, monitoring, reporting, process evaluation After = Summative evaluation, outcome evaluation or just feedback

Beginning the Focus Group The first few moments in focus group discussion are critical. v Create a thoughtful, permissive atmosphere v Provide the ground rules v Set the tone Recommended introduction pattern: v Welcome v Overview and topic v Ground rules v First question

Ending Questions All things considered question Ask participants to reflect on the entire discussion and then to offer their positions or opinions or to tell what they think is the most important part of the discussion. Summary question After a brief oral summary, ask participants, "Is this an adequate summary? ” Final question Have we missed anything?

Interviews vs. Focus Groups Interviews Interviewer has more control More time and information shared Closer communication between the interviewer and informant. More burden on the informant to explain themselves. Focus Groups Direct evidence of similarities & differences in participants. views Greater control required by moderator Less depth or detail about individual opinions Trade offs between control of group and allowing free flowing discussion *Morgan, D. , L. (1997) Focus groups as qualitative research. London: Sage Publications, pp 10 -13.

Interviews vs. Focus Groups Focus groups take a lot of time, more than an hour while interviews are more shorter. Sometimes people who don't engage on a one on one interview they tend to engage more better on focus groups where they can relate to others.

Activity / Interview 1) Create a mock interview schedule. 2) Firstly, decide on and create 6 questions for the group. 3) Once you have decided on your 6 questions to ask, each member should make a copy of the questions (Each member has an interview schedule) 4) Each member will pair up with one individual from another allocated group to interview. Act the role out! Act as strangers! 5) You will ask the question, then write down their responses as quotes or as notes. 6) You only ask a participant to repeat if their answer is inaudible. 7) Write down their responses on the interview schedule and collect your interview schedules as a group!

Snapshot of the QSSN Year 3 students Research Question: What are the personal views and preferences of the QSSN Year 3 students of 2015?

Topics q Music q Movies q Food q Books q Hobbies q. Superpower q. Games q. Future Aspirations q. Sports q. Work q. Ideal Partner Qualities q. Love q. Religion q. Laws/Policies q. Marriage

Role-Play Pretend you are total strangers! Introduce yourself! Act it out!

Activity/ Interview (Round 1) 15 mins Conducting interviews Group 1 Group 3 Group 2 Group 6 Group 4 Group 5

Activity/ Interview (Round 2) 15 mins Conducting interviews Group 3 Group 1 Group 6 Group 4 Group 5 Group 2

Activity Part 2 / Focus Group Create three broad questions for your topic Select a facilitator Select a note-taker

Activity 2/ Focus Group Two groups will combine into one Focus Group. One focus group will cover 5 questions. Select two facilitators AND one note taker from each group. The rest will be participants. The facilitators will be allocated to a group!

Day 9 Objectives What is an interview? Describe the types of interviews. Understand interview What the concepts and the process of an is a focus group? Who, Why, Where and When to conduct a focus group. Differentiate group. between an interview and focus