INTERVIEWSPresenters:Robert FarnsworthRoshani ShresthaArdis HolldorsdottirHannah Schechter

IntroductionBenney and Hughes (1970) stated that An interview is the favored digging tool of social researchers. They rely largely on verbal accounts to learn about social life. (as cited in Taylor and Bogdan, 1998. p. 87).

Historical MenCharles Booth 1840-1916-Combined census data with interviews, observations and notes from the London School Board-Determined social class-Produced poverty maps of London

Sigmund Freud 1856-1939-Psychoanalysis

More Historical MenWilliam Isaac Thomas 1863-1947-Studied in Germany-Interests in ethnography-Studied Polish immigrants -Wrote book with Florian ZnanieckiThe Polish Peasant

George Gallup 1901-1984-The Gallup Poll-Interviewing public opinion-Global survey in 1976 ofQuality of life around the world-Market research

Original & Current Techniques Past- War Torture & Interrogation

Present- Ahhhh- War.Torture & Interrogation

DisciplinesConservation Social SciencesLandscape Architecture SociologyAnthropologyPsychologyEducationBusinessMediaMedicineWar

Types of InterviewsStructured Interviews

Semi-structured Interviews

Unstructured Interviews

Structured InterviewsQuantitative ApproachDefinitionInterviewer gives a set of predetermined questions or probes to the intervieweesAimMeasures facts, attitudes, knowledge, behavior Finding accurate information without influences from the researcher

Structured InterviewsRelationship between interviewer and intervieweeMinimize interactionNo distractions No flexibilitystrict control over interview

Structured InterviewsConcern While Conducting InterviewsKeeping control of how questions are askedUsing the same questions for all intervieweesFollowing a fixed orderUsing a rating scale or tick boxEthical considerations

Structured InterviewsStrengthsControlReliabilitySpeedStructuring reduces variabilityEfficient use of timeWeaknessesClose of theoretical avenuesLimit freedom to talkMiss what interviewees think is importantDoes not allow complexity of answers

Structured InterviewsQuality of DataFraming interview with tacticsData collection processInterpreting interview

Types of InterviewsTelephoneFace-to-faceMail (usually associated with survey research

Structured Interviews

Types of characteristics

Face to face interviews

Telephone interviews

Mail interviews

Definition

Type of interview where the interviewer has direct contact with the interviewee

Type of interview where the interviewer has an indirect contact with the interviewee.

Type of interview where the interviewer doesnt have any contact with the interviewee.

Quality of data

Trained interviewer

Trained interviewer

Well defined and administrated questionnaire

Sampling

From telephone or address

From a telephone directory

From a complete list of population

Data collection

The interviewer contacts each member of the sample to conduct the interview in person

People are interviewed at the time of the first phone call or at another , more convenient time

Eachh member of the sample receives a notice letter in advance, followed by a questionnaire. Then within a week they receive a postcard reminder

Data recording

Video, tape recorder, notes

Tape recorder

Questionnaire

Involvement of researcher

The researcher has direct contact with the interviewee, but does not influence the interview

The researcher has phone contact with the interviewee.

The researcher is completely separated from the interviewee

Strength

Enables the interviewer to establish rapport with the respondent

Less costly than personal interview

Produce results quickly

The interviewer has control of the interview

More effective when the number of the questions is relatively small and time available to gather data is short

Do not need trained interviewers

Minimize sampling error at relative low cost

Weaknesses

Higher cost of the survey

Expensive

Time consuming

Not all people have telephone

Telephone directories could be incomplete

Necessity of knowledgeable supervisor

They are sensitive to non coverage error

Some people are less likely to respond to the questionnaire than others

The researcher has little control over what happens to the questionnaire after it is mailed.

Semi-Structured Interviews Everyone gets the same questions asked, but there is flexibility in how they are asked.Particularly useful for exploring the views of a subject towards something

Semi-Structured InterviewsStrengths Well suited for exploring attitudes, values, beliefs, and motives. Sensitive areas (Barriball, 1993)Non-verbal indicators assist in evaluating truthfulness/validity and urgency (Farnsworth, 2006)Facilitates getting every question answeredEnsures the respondent is working on his/her ownCan potentially increase response rate

Semi-Structured InterviewsWeaknessesEquivalence of meaning difficulties may arisePreferred social responseNon-response/particular groups being unrepresentedInvasion of privacyExtenuating circumstancesPrejudices, stereotypes, appearances and/or perceptions of researcher may alter response

Semi-Structured InterviewsGetting Beyond the ConstraintsConstructing the questionnaire is critical (Lazarsfeld, 1954)All questions must comply with three principlesSpecificationDivision Tacit Assumption

Semi-Structured InterviewsTraining for the interviews

Developing competency and understanding of the study

Developing an awareness of potential errors or biases

Unstructured InterviewsAlso known asQualitative interviewingNon-directive interviewingNon-standardized interviewingOpen-ended interviewingIn-depth interviewing

Unstructured InterviewsQualitative approach

Definitionrepeated face-to-face encounters between the researcher and the informants directed toward understanding informants perspective on their lives, experiences, or situations as expressed in their own words (Taylor & Bogdan, 1998, p. 88)

Unstructured InterviewsAim/LogicLearn what isImportant to the participantsWhat meaning the phenomenon under study has to themTheir point of viewTheir understanding and experiencesTypes of in-depth interviewsLife HistoryLearn about events and activities that cannot be observed directlyTo yield a broad picture of a range of settings, situations, or peopleGroup interviews

Unstructured InterviewsCreate trust between researcher and participant

Anonymity and confidentialityFollow cultural rulesnice and gentleShow interestBe understanding

Unstructured InterviewsTo conduct a good interviewYou need toBe nonjudgmental Ask open questionsAllow people to speakBe a good listenerTolerate the silenceProbe when it is appropriateMake sure you have the right understanding

Unstructured InterviewsStrengthsRich dataUnderstand what is important to the participantGeneral understanding of provided when little is know about the issueImportant concepts are uncovered that can eventually guide future enquiries WeaknessesPeople say and do different things in different situationsLanguage barriersTime consumingResearchers biasLittle controlAttention not focused on a given issueVery little factual information provided

EthicsInformed consentMake sure the participants understand what the research is for and where it will be publishedProtecting participants by changing names and places when necessaryNonjudgmental interviewersTrustworthy interviewersConfidentialityMember-checking

Examples in CSSAlicia De la Cruz-NoveyPeruvian TourismComparing three protected areas- rainforest, coast, and highlandsSemi-structured interviews & archival dataHow tour operators and local tourist initiatives can reduce negative impacts on the ecosystemQuestionnaires & archival dataEvaluate socioeconomic changes in communities with tourism planQuestionnaires, archival data, & literature analysisEvaluation of the cost and effectiveness of different types of participation for the development and implementation of tourism plans

Examples in CSSShannon Amberg

Perception of risks and benefits of eating fishWill use semi-structured interviews to understand how media affects peoples choicesWill use the results to write a survey

Conclusion Remember Be like Oprah!

Current TechniquesInterviewing for dating services

And now for some dating fun...

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