"In common parlance, the word 'interview' refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee."
A method of collecting data through direct conversation with individuals or groups in the culture being studied.
Ethnography: This is the study of culture and society through direct observation and participant observation. It involves the systematic collection, description, and analysis of data on human societies and cultures.
Interview techniques: This refers to the different methods used to conduct interviews, such as structured or unstructured interviews, face-to-face or virtual, one-on-one or group interviews, and open-ended or closed-ended questions.
Interview questions: These are the specific questions asked during an interview. They can be designed to gather specific information or to elicit open-ended responses that allow for exploration of themes and ideas.
Interview protocols: This is a set of guidelines that outlines the structure and process of the interview, including how questions will be asked and how data will be recorded.
Recording data: This refers to the different methods used to record data during an interview, such as audio or video recording, written notes or transcripts, or photographs.
Data analysis: This is the process of interpreting and making sense of the data collected during the interview, often through the identification of themes, patterns, and trends.
Ethics: This refers to the ethical considerations involved in conducting interviews, such as ensuring informed consent, protecting participant confidentiality, and minimizing harm.
Bias: This is the potential for the interviewer's own beliefs, attitudes, or experiences to influence the data collected during an interview.
Culture: This refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors of a group of people, which can influence how interviews are conducted and interpreted.
Power dynamics: This refers to the ways in which power and privilege can shape the interview process and the data collected. For example, the interviewer's position of authority may impact how participants respond to questions.
Life history interviews: These interviews are designed to gather a comprehensive narrative of the interviewee's life, from birth to present day. The goal is to gain a deep understanding of the interviewee's experiences and perspectives.
Oral history interviews: Similar to life history interviews, oral history interviews focus on gathering stories and perspectives about a particular historical event or period.
Semi-structured interviews: These interviews have a general topic or set of questions, but the interviewer can deviate from the script in order to gather more information on interesting or relevant topics.
Structured interviews: In structured interviews, the interviewer follows a predetermined set of questions or prompts. This type of interview is useful when comparing responses across multiple participants.
Group interviews: Sometimes called "focus groups," group interviews involve multiple participants in a conversation about a particular topic or issue. This can be useful for gathering a range of perspectives and seeing how different people interact around a shared topic.
Expert interviews: These interviews are conducted with subject matter experts in a particular field or industry. The goal is to gain a deep understanding of the field and its practices from an insider perspective.
Participatory interviews: In participatory interviews, the interviewee is actively involved in the research process, often collaborating with the interviewer in defining the research questions and goals. This type of interview can help ensure that the research is culturally sensitive and appropriately respectful of community values.
"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."