Types of interview structured interview questionnaires based on

Types of interview - structured interview - questionnaires based on a predetermined and standardised, or identical set of questions (interviewer-administered questionnaires； - semi-structured interview ） researcher have a list of themes and questions to be covered. Some questions omitted in particular interviews in a specific organisational context. (qualitative research interviews) - unstructured or in-depth interview ） No pre-determined list of questions to work through, but researcher has clear ideas about the aspects that he want to explore. informant interview : interviewee’s perceptions that guide the conduct of the interview） respond interview ：interviewer directs the interview and interviewee responds to the questions of researcher)

Types of interview Structured interviews (interviewer administered interviews) Standardised interviews Semi-structured interviews (Qualitative research interviews) Unstructured/in-depth interviews (In-depth interviews) non-standardised interviews Respondent interviews Informant interviews

Types of interview Common understanding of the research topic (interviewer-interviewee) No yes Interviewee can offer quantitative infor. of the research topic yes Structured interview Part of Common understanding of the research topic No Semi-structured Interview can offer infor. of the research topic yes Semi-Structured interview No little Common understanding of the research topic yes No unstructured Interview can offer infor. of the research topic yes unstructured interview

Types of interview

Situations for non-standardised (qual. ) interviews • Purpose of the research descriptive, explanatory, exploratory • Significance of establishing personal contact inter-personal trust • Nature of the data collection questions large number of Qs; complex, open-ended questions, order and logic of Qs may need to be varied. • Length of time required and completeness of the process Structured, semi-structured, unstructured

Data quality issues • Reliability: whether alternative researchers would reveal similar information. -interviewer bias (lack of standardisation) -interviewee/response bias -time consuming leads to inpatient response • Validity: the extent to which the researcher gains access to their participant’ knowledge and experience, and is able to infer a meaning that the participant intended from the language that was used by the person. -flexible and responsive interaction -topics to be covered from a various angles -can NOT be used to make generalisations about the entire population

Data quality issues Overcoming data quality issues • Preparation -level of knowledge -level of information supplied to the interviewee -appropriateness of location -appropriateness of researcher’s appearance at the interview -nature of the opening comments to be made when the interview commences -approach to quetioning -nature of impact of the interviewer's behaviour during the course of the interview -demonstration of attentive listening skills -scope to test understanding -approach to recording data -cultural differences and bias • Genaralisability -single case study (well-competed and rigorous) -theoretical propostions

4. Interviewing competence • • • Opening the interview Using appropriate language Questioning Listening Testing and summarising understanding Recognising and dealing with difficult participants • Recording data

4. Interviewing competence • Questioning -open questions (what, why, how) Why did the org. introduce its marketing strategy? what methods have been used to make employees redundant (裁员)? how has corporate strategy changed over the past five years? -probing questions (what, why, how) How would you evaluate the success of this new marketing strategy? What? -specific and closed questions How many? Do you mean that … Did I hear you say that … When …; Where…; Who…

Interviewing competence • Recognising and dealing with difficult participants monosyllabic answers: yes, no limited time; worries about anonymity; have no interests; → open Qs, long pauses, repeat long answers digressing from your focus → interrupt without offense, referring back to earlier relevant point show-off, criticising → be knowledgeable about the research topic, be confident, be patient upset, cry → be patient and stop to ask questions • Recording information audio-recording + brief notes (non-verbal cues) Notes taking

Group interview and focus groups Organising the group interview • Request to individual participate sent as an instruction(指示 ) • Group the participants by horizontal slices (not vertical ) • Reduce the contribution of one or two dominating speakers • Ensure that participants understand each other’s contributions • Locate the group interview in a neutral (中立的) setting • Reach a theory saturation (no longer receiving new infor. )

Group interview and focus groups • Focus group: a group interview where the topic is defined clearly and precisely and there is a focus on enabling and recording interactive discussion between participants. • The role of Moderator/ facilitator - keep the group within the boundaries of the topic being discussed - generate interest in the topic and encourage discussion, whist at the same time not leading the group towards certain opinions

6. Electronic interviews