INTERVIEW

SALEEQ AHMAD
University of Delhi

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 Definition
A person designated the Interviewer asking questions in a face-to-
face contact to the other person or persons, designated as
Interviewee/s, who gives answers to the questions.

Any person to person interaction between two or more individuals

with a specific purpose in mind is called Interview.

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 Advantages of Interview
• In depth information can be obtained from the
respondent.
• Clarifications and explanations can be made.
• Complete responses can be obtained.
• Full control over respondents environment.
• Takes less time and effort of the respondent.
• Flexible for illiterates.
• Less ambiguity.
• Adaptability of language.
• Observation of supplementary information. 3
 Disadvantages of Interview
• Expensive method when the target population is
big in number and widely spread.
• Biased analysis.
• Same set of questions may receive diverse answers.
• No Anonymity.
• Requires skilled and trained interviewers.
• Difficulty in getting appointment with top level
management groups.
• Technical barrier.
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 Types of Interviews
Interview

Face-to-face Interview Telephone Interview

Structured Interview Unstructured Interview

Focused Interview Clinical Interview

Non-Directive Interview
 Types of Interviews
Structured Interview
In structured interview the interviewer asks the pre-
drafted set of questions. Here he/she cannot change
the questions, or the sequence. No freedom of addition
or deletion of the questions is possible.
Example.
1)Do you make use of computers in your research?
a) Yes……….. b) No……….
2) Are you aware of the concept of deep web?
a) Yes………. b) No……….

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 Cont’d
Advantages
• Generates uniform data.
• Requires less skill.
• Requires less time.
Disadvantages
• More Ambiguity.
• No clearance of doubts.
• No possibility of addition or deletion.
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 Cont’d
Unstructured Interview
In this type of interview the interviewer exercises
autonomy what ever comes to his/her mind on a
particular research problem. Here interviewer is
free to ask additional questions and also repeat,
delete or modify questions.
Example.
Q) How do you keep up-to-date in the field of research?
………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………….
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 Cont’d

Advantages
• Free to ask additional questions.
• Gives in depth information.
• More flexible.
Disadvantages
• Time consuming.
• Demands specialized training.
• Difficult to analyse the results.
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 Cont’d
Focussed Interview
Focussed interview is conducted basically to get
focussed, in depth information on may given issue
from the respondent. The main task of the
interviewer is to involve the respondent in
discussion on specific topic so that the researcher
gets desired information.
Q) As a preserver of the library how you are saving
books from insects?

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 Cont’d
Non-directive Interview
Interviewer in this type of interview acts like a
catalyst. He/she prompts the respondent to give
information on the topic under investigation. Here
respondent is given free environment so that he can
express his views freely and to the point. The
researcher simply supports the views expressed by the
respondent instead of approving or disapproving them.
Example:
Q) Tell me about the incident in which your all documents
were burned.
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 Cont’d
Clinical Interview
This type of interview basically covers the broad
underlying feelings, life experiences, motivations of
the respondents. Here the interviewer has the
freedom to interact freely with the respondent to
elicit the information on the given topic.
This type of interview are conducted during social
case work, in psychiatric clinics and in prison
administration. Example:
Q) Which circumstances made you to theft the precious book
of our library? 12
 Cont’d
Telephonic Interview
This type of interview is conducted on phone. the
researcher needs a telephone connection and an
instrument, a phone directory and a set of questions to
be asked.
It plays an important role in industrial research.
Advantages.
• Faster and cheaper.
• Replies can be recorded.
• No field staff required.
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 Cont’d
Disadvantages
• Costly International calls.
• Possibility of having no telephone connections to

respondents.
• Poor signal or other network problem.
• Language barrier.
• No control over respondents environment.

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 Cont’d
Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)
System
CATI system is used to conduct telephone interview
to gather data from number of respondents scattered
all over the world. In simple words computer is used
to conduct surveys. This system requires PC , which is
linked through network to server where data can be
stored centrally.

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 Interview Process

• Plan
• Preparation of Interview schedule
• Pilot test of the study
• Conducting the Interview

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 Interview Process
Plan
In this stage the researcher plans the whole interview process,
which includes the training, time and venue.
it also takes into account the cost factor and travel time .
Preparation of Interview schedule.
It is a list of printed questions prepared in advance, set in
some order or sequence. The researcher records the answers
on the printed schedule during the interview session.

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 Interview Process
Pilot test of the study
Before the actual interview process starts it is advisable to
pre test the interview questions. A group of respondents
should be selected for pilot study. But this group should not
be included in the proper study. After getting responses the
researcher can modify it accordingly.
Conducting the Interview
Here the researcher manages multiple tasks like putting
questions to the respondents, giving clarifications,
explanations, demonstrations and listening answers.
The researcher has to take care of time. The questions should
be covered in the session.
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 Guidelines for conducting Interviews
• Interviewer should always plan in advance the
venue and time.
• Should behave friendly with the respondent.
• Should have the ability to mobilize the respondent
to answer freely and frankly.
• Questions should be well framed.
• Complex questions should be avoided.
• Should have an unbiased approach.
• Should not indulge in any argument.
• Should show gratitude for the respondent. 19
 More Guidelines
Recording the interview:
In closed ended questions it is easy to record the responses on
the interview schedule and it becomes easy for researcher to
write the responses in the same way as the respondent
responses. This method is called Note Taking Method.
Recording:
For open-ended questions, it is difficult for a researcher to
remind all the responses of the respondent and to write them.
Thus In order to get the successful substance from the
researcher it is easy to record the interview by using a tape
recorder and to record all necessary information for data
analysis and interpretation.
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 Cont’d
Preparation of Verbatim Transcripts:
After the interview the recording are transformed into
verbatim transcripts. This form the primary material for
research.

Analyses of Data and Report Writing:

Analysing the qualitative data is a very difficult task. Same
sets of questions receive diverse answers. So the main work of
the researcher is to analyse the data by using many techniques.
Report form the basis of a research so it should be very clear
and précis.

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