Key Informant Interview KII1

MUHAMMAD SAID SHAHMER OFFICER DRC

Agenda2

Objective: Correct misconceptions and tackle challenges of doing KIIs

• When and why to conduct KIIs

• Who makes a useful informant

• How to prepare for an interview

• How to obtain an interview

What Is a Key Informant Interview?What Is a Key Informant Interview?3

A key informant is someone who can “unlock” information for you about an issue or your desired objective

An interview is a conversation with a structure and a purpose

Purpose of a Key Informant Interview4

To get understanding of an issue or your desired objective;

To capture the big picture To get rich detailTo investigate the widthTo test the depthTo determine the ranges & possibilities

What a Key Informant Interview Is NotWhat a Key Informant Interview Is Not5

A key informant interview is NOTA questionnaire An education / info session An opportunity to convince him/her to

support your policy

What a Key Informant Interview Is What a Key Informant Interview Is 6

A key informant interview (KII) IS A less structured in its nature primarily

comprised of open-ended questions where there are no prescribed answers, the interviewer needs to be adjusted to where to ask probing, follow-up questions or pursue new leads in the conversation

Comparative questions7

How were you approached by DRC?Have you any plan to repatriate voluntarily?How were you approached by DRC?a. Shura Representative b. CDU c. Others

Have you any plan to repatriate voluntarily?a. Yes, When ________ b. No, Why ____

When to Conduct Key Informant InterviewsWhen to Conduct Key Informant Interviews8

Early in a campaign and/or near its end

• To explore information

(when you don’t know something)

• To confirm information

(when you want to assess what you did)

What Key Informant Interviews Can DoWhat Key Informant Interviews Can Do9

KIIs can help your project:Get ideas for your strategy

Identify and gain access to key players

Develop relationships with stakeholders and info sources

When to Conduct Key Informant InterviewsWhen to Conduct Key Informant Interviews10

At the beginning of an intervention –

To inform the planning of your project about The various positions on an issue Potential barriers and challenges to

achieving your policy goal Cultural considerations of a target

population How best to approach a particular

stakeholder group

When to Conduct Key Informant InterviewsWhen to Conduct Key Informant Interviews11

After an intervention –

To gather process data to inform future actions

Learn how various stakeholders felt about the program or policymaking process

Reflect on what worked/didn’t work, why a policy was/wasn’t adopted, particularly effective strategies, ways to improve

Misconceptions about Using KIIsMisconceptions about Using KIIs12

Misconceptiono That you need to ask the same questions in

both pre- and post-intervention KIIs

Fact Usually not, since KIIs are most often used to

collect process data about how and why things happened

How to Choose Informants13

Select people who will either:

• Be affected by the proposed policy

• Have the power to make policy decisions

• Possess unique perceptions/points of view OR

• Know a great deal about the issue

Who Makes a Good Informant14

Think about the informant’s role and what you need to know

• Politicians/officials/their staff

• Service providers

• Community leaders

• Business owners

Who to Include in Your Sample15

Seek a variety of viewpoints –

• From constituents, allies, opponents, targets• From people of differing job titles,

characteristics, positions on an issue

• Don’t just talk to likely supporters!

How to Approach a Key Informant16

Introduce

Yourself

Your organization

Your purpose

Convincing intro- why s/he as key informant

How much time you’ll need

Confidentiality and inform consent

Interview Scheduling LogisticsInterview Scheduling Logistics17

Offer several different options for dat & time

State approximately how long the interview will last

The day before the interview, send a reminder –call/visit/email etc.

Thanks18