INTERVIEW SCHEDULE AS A TOOL FOR COLLECTING DATA

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE AS A TOOL FOR COLLECTING DATA Dr. Muhammad Ibrar

Introduction This method of data collection is very much like the collection of data through questionnaire, with little difference which lies in the fact that schedules (proforma containing a set of questions) are being filled in by the researcher/enumerators who are specially appointed for the purpose. These researcher/enumerators along with schedules, go to respondents, put to them the questions from the proforma in the order the questions are listed and record the replies in the space meant for the same in the proforma.

…Contd. In certain situations, schedules may be handed over to respondents and researcher/enumerators may help them in recording their answers to various questions in the said schedules. Researcher/enumerators explain the aims and objects of the investigation and also remove the difficulties which any respondent may feel in understanding the implications of a particular question or the definition or concept of difficult terms.

…Contd. This method requires the selection of enumerators for filling up schedules or assisting respondents to fill up schedules and as such enumerators should be very carefully selected. The enumerators should be trained to perform their job well and the nature and scope of the investigation should be explained to them thoroughly so that they may well understand the implications of different questions put in the schedule.

…Contd. Enumerators should be intelligent and must possess the capacity of cross-examination in order to find out the truth. Above all, they should be honest, sincere, hardworking and should have patience and perseverance.

Definition of Interview Schedule An interview schedule is a interview with pre-coded question to produce quick, cheap and easy quantitative data which is high in reliability but low in validity. Interview Schedule are employed by people in everyday life, but as a scientific tool of social research, or better as a method of data collection, interviewing is different with regard to its preparation, construction, and execution in that it is prepared and executed in a systematic way.

…Contd. Interviews basically consist of asking questions, listening to individuals and recording their responses. Interviews allow participants to provide rich, contextual descriptions of events. Interviews are a systematic way of talking and listening to respondents and are another way to collect data from individuals through conversations.

Types of Interview The various types of interview patterns are discussed as below: On the basis of the manner in which they are conducted, interviews are generally of the following types: 1) Structured Interview 2) Unstructured Interview 3) Mixed or Depth Interview

1) Structured Interview It is also known as controlled, guided or directive interview. Under this a predetermined questionnaires used. The interviewer is asked to get the answers to those questions only. He/she generally does not add anything from his own side. The language too is not changed. He/she can only interpret the statement wherever necessary.

2) Unstructured Interview It is also known as uncontrolled or nondirective interview. No direct or predetermined questions are used in this type of interview. The interviewers may develop questions as the interview proceeds. It is generally held in the form of free discussions. The basic objective of this method is to get the client express himself/herself freely.

3) Mixed or Depth Interview It is a combination of structured and unstructured types of interviews. Under this method the respondent is free to express himself/herself but at the same time structured questions provide a base of information to the interviewers to compare the respondents.