"In common parlance, the word 'interview' refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee."
A research method in which the researcher asks questions of individuals or groups to gather data about their beliefs, values, and practices.
Types of interviews: Different types of interviews exist, such as structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews. Each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.
Interview research design: To conduct an effective interview, researchers must carefully define their research question, establish sampling criteria, and design an appropriate protocol.
Ethics of interviewing: Ethical concerns for interviewing include protecting the confidentiality and privacy of participants and ensuring they provide informed consent for their participation.
Techniques and methods for conducting interviews: This includes skills such as asking open-ended questions, probing for further information, and active listening.
Transcription and analysis of interviews: Researchers must carefully transcribe and analyze their interview data to uncover themes, ideas, and patterns.
Reflexivity in interviewing: Cultivating reflexivity in interviews involves examining the bias and positionality of the researcher, and how these factors might affect their interpretation of interview data.
Data management and storage: Researchers must take steps to ensure the safe storage and protection of their interview data.
Application of interviews in cultural anthropology: Interviews can be used in a wide range of contexts in cultural anthropology, including ethnography, oral history, and social research.
Case study examples: Examining case studies of interviews in cultural anthropology can provide valuable insights into the application of interviewing in research.
Advancements in interviewing technology: Advances in technology, such as online interview software, have made it easier to conduct interviews remotely but also present new ethical and logistical considerations for researchers.
Structured interviews: A list of predetermined questions is asked in a set order.
Unstructured interviews: An open-ended conversation takes place between the interviewer and interviewee, with no predetermined questions.
Semi-structured interviews: A combination of structured and unstructured interviews, where some questions are predetermined, but there is flexibility for follow-up questions.
Participant observation: The researcher actively participates in the cultural setting they are studying, observing and taking notes on the experiences of the community.
Ethnographic interviews: In-depth interviews which aim to understand the interviewee's worldview and cultural experiences.
Focus groups: A group of individuals are brought together to discuss a particular topic, with a moderator guiding the conversation.
Life history interviews: Focuses on the interviewee's personal narrative and experiences over their lifetime, often used in the study of migration and displacement.
Oral histories: Similar to life history interviews but specifically focused on the interviewee's relationship with historical events or a historical period.
Elite interviews: Interviews with individuals who hold power and influence within the cultural setting.
Virtual interviews: Interviews conducted via video conferencing, phone, or email, commonly used in cross-cultural research.
"The interviewer asks questions to which the interviewee responds, usually providing information."
"A job interview or interview with a witness to an event may have no other audience present at the time, but the answers will be later provided to others in the employment or investigative process."
"An interview may also transfer information in both directions."
"Interviews usually take place face-to-face, in person."
"Interviews may be separated geographically, as in videoconferencing or telephone interviews."
"Interviews almost always involve spoken conversation between two or more parties."
"In some instances, a 'conversation' can happen between two persons who type their questions and answers."
"Interviews can be unstructured, free-wheeling and open-ended conversations without predetermined plan or prearranged questions."
"One form of unstructured interview is a focused interview in which the interviewer consciously and consistently guides the conversation so that the interviewee's responses do not stray from the main research topic or idea."
"Interviews can also be highly structured conversations in which specific questions occur in a specified order."
"They can follow diverse formats; for example, in a ladder interview, a respondent's answers typically guide subsequent interviews, with the object being to explore a respondent's subconscious motives."
"Typically, the interviewer has some way of recording the information that is gleaned from the interviewee, often by keeping notes with a pencil and paper, or with a video or audio recorder."
"The traditionally two-person interview format, sometimes called a one-on-one interview, permits direct questions and follow-ups, which enables an interviewer to better gauge the accuracy and relevance of responses."
"It is a flexible arrangement in the sense that subsequent questions can be tailored to clarify earlier answers."
"Further, it eliminates possible distortion due to other parties being present."