what is an advantage to using unstructured interviewing techniques when conducting field research?
Structured and unstructured interviews are common methods of gathering data in research. While structured interviews are mostly used in quantitative observation, an unstructured interview is normally practical to qualitative data collection because it pays attending to describing the enquiry subjects.
Apart from the fundamental difference highlighted above, there are other things a researcher must know about the natures of structured and unstructured interviews. Hence, it is of import for the interviewer to sympathize the many differences betwixt a structured interview and an unstructured interview.
What is a Structured Interview?
A structured interview is a type of interview in which the researcher asks a set of premeditated questions in guild to gather information near the research subjects. It is besides known as a standardized interview or a researcher-administered interview, and information technology aims at investigating research variables using the same ready of questions.
Typically, structured interviews are used to collect information with regards to the quantity or numerical value of the research subjects. It outlines events, behaviors, procedures, and guidelines for conducting the interview and recording the information collected to serve as the research data.
Characteristics of a Structured Interview
- A structured interview utilizes a standardized process of inquiry.
- It is a quantitative method of observation.
- A structured interview is like shooting fish in a barrel to replicate.
- This type of interview is sequential in nature.
What is an Unstructured Interview?
An unstructured interview is a blazon of interview that does not make utilise of a set of standardized questions. Here, the interviewer does non generate whatsoever specific gear up of standardized questions for research, rather he or she asks different questions in line with the context and purpose of the systematic investigation.
Typically, an unstructured interview relies on spontaneity and follow-upwards questioning in gild to gather detailed information from the research subject field. In many means, this type of interview tin be viewed every bit an informal, everyday conversation because of its extremely colloquial style.
Characteristics of an Unstructured Interview
- An unstructured interview is flexible in nature.
- It relies on spontaneity in its method of research.
- An unstructured interview is a method of qualitative observation.
- It is descriptive in nature.
Differences Betwixt Structured and Unstructured Interview
- Definition
A structured interview is a type of interview that relies on a set up of standardized and premeditated questions in order to gather data. On the other hand, an unstructured interview is a type of interview that does non rely on a set of premeditated questions in its data-gathering process.
In an unstructured interview, the researcher does not set a set of pre-planned interview questions while in a structured interview, the researcher depends on an interview sequence. A structured interview is a directive in nature while an unstructured interview is non-directive in nature.
- Sequence
In a structured interview, the researcher follows an interview sequence comprising standardized questions while in an unstructured interview, the researcher does not create any interview sequence. An interview sequence consists of standardized questions for conducting an interview arranged in the order of use.
The interviewer in a structured interview follows the sequence as he or she makes inquiries about the enquiry subject. In an unstructured interview, the researcher does non follow any sequence but relies on spontaneity to direct the course of the chat.
- Question Types
A structured interview makes employ of close-ended questions, predominantly while an unstructured interview makes utilize of open-ended questions, predominantly. Close-ended questions permit the interviewer to limit the interviewee to a range of possible responses in line with the research context.
On the other mitt, open-ended questions do non restrict the respondent to pre-conceived options. Rather, information technology gives the respondent the opportunity to explore the questions from multiple perspectives and this allows the interviewer to gather a variety of information about the inquiry subject area.
- Question Samples
Examples of questions asked in an unstructured interview include the post-obit:
- What do you relish most about our production?
- What practice yous not like about our service delivery?
- How do you recall we can better our service commitment?
- Why do you use our product?
- What specific needs does our product come across for you?
Examples of questions asked in a structured interview include:
- How ofttimes practise yous use our production?
- Weekly
- Bi-monthly
- Yearly
- Do you enjoy using our production?
- Aye
- No
- How likely are you to recommend our services?
- Very likely
- Somewhat likely
- Highly Unlikely
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- Uses
An unstructured interview is by and large used to collect information in qualitative research while a structured interview is mostly used to collect data in quantitative inquiry. Qualitative ascertainment is used to assemble descriptive and in-depth information about a research subject while quantitative observation is used to collect measurable data.
In other words, an unstructured interview is more suitable for a research process that aims at gathering descriptive information. On the other mitt, a structured interview is more suitable for gathering data that can exist quantified in terms of numerical values.
- Advantages of Structured Interview
Data gathered through a structured interview is more objective and easier to clarify dissimilar the data gathered via an unstructured interview. This is because a structured interview requires the respondents to provide cursory and relevant answers to the questions, unlike an unstructured interview.
Likewise, a structured interview can be used to gather data from a big data sample of the target population, unlike an unstructured interview. Because of the standardization of a structured interview, the interview process is easier unlike that of an unstructured interview.
- Disadvantages of Structured Interview
The information gathered via a structured interview lacks depth and item unlike the information gathered through an unstructured interview. This is because a structured interview restricts the interviewee to a set of questions and this prevents him or her from providing additional data that would prove useful in the research.
A structured interview is a less valid ways of information drove while an unstructured interview is a more than valid ways of data collection. In a structured interview, the researcher is not allowed to deviate from the line of questioning regardless of any developments but this is allowed in an unstructured interview.
- Advantages of Unstructured Interviews
An unstructured interview can be used to gather information on complex issues, dissimilar a structured interview. This is because an unstructured interview adopts a conversational arroyo that creates a rapport betwixt the researcher and the interviewee which allows the later to reveal of import data.
An unstructured interview is also more than flexible and more comfortable than a structured interview. In an unstructured interview, the researcher has the opportunity to formulate new questions and research hypotheses based on new information provided, different a structured interview that follows a strict sequence.
- Disadvantages of Unstructured Interviews
An unstructured interview is more time-consuming when compared to a structured interview. Since information technology is not limited to particular questions or a sequence, conducting an unstructured interview takes up more time and more than resources than a structured interview that follows a sequence.
An unstructured interview generates large amounts of data which is hard to categorize and analyse, unlike a structured interview that collects the near relevant responses. Since it is not standardized, an unstructured interview is considered non-reliable and highly subjective, unlike a structured interview.
- Tools
Audio recorders, telephones, and camcorders are tools used for conducting an unstructured interview while surveys and questionnaires are tools used for conducting a structured interview. In a structured interview, the interviewer can create a survey using the interview sequence and administer this survey to inquiry groups in society to gather information.
Considering an unstructured interview is flexible, it usually involves having a one-on-one chat with the inquiry groups in club to get together valid information from them. Even so, a structured interview can be conducted either physically or through other methods as highlighted above.
- Subjectivity
An unstructured is highly subjective in nature while a structured interview is objective in nature. In an unstructured interview, unlike parameters are used to evaluate enquiry subjects and this affects the objectivity of the data gathered and research findings in the end.
In a structured interview, the research subjects are evaluated using the aforementioned set of standardized questions in the same sequence. This makes it a more objective data collection more a structured interview, and information technology is extremely useful for gathering large amounts of data from a research group.
- Data Samples
Structured interviews examine large data samples while unstructured interviews examine express data samples. Equally a result of its quantitative nature and utilize of an interview sequence, structured interviews can carry out systematic investigations into the nature of large sets of data.
On the other hand, an unstructured interview works with small data samples because of its in-depth and detailed approach to systematic research. An unstructured interview makes use of open-ended questions, predominantly, and this gives respondents the opportunity to fully communicate their thoughts and ideas on the research questions.
- Comparability
Structured interviews allow for information comparability while unstructured interviews do not permit for information comparability. This means that while it is like shooting fish in a barrel for researchers to compare the data samples gathered from a structured interview, information technology is extremely difficult to exercise this with the information collected via an unstructured interview.
This is because structured interview subjects the data prepare to the aforementioned parameters of inquiry, dissimilar an unstructured interview that develops research questions uniquely for each participant. This is why it is adopted for quantitative observation and analysis.
Similarities Between Structured and Unstructured Interviews?
Although at that place are a number of differences between structured and unstructured interviews, these two too have meeting points. Hither are a few similarities betwixt structured and unstructured interviews:
- Data collection
Both structured and unstructured interviews are methods of data collection and they are used by researchers to gather a variety of information about inquiry groups and different inquiry contexts. The ultimate aim of both structured and unstructured interviews is to gather relevant information that can help researchers get in at objective outcomes.
- Participants
Both structured and unstructured interviews involve interacting with research subjects in order to gather information about a inquiry context. However, structured and unstructured interviews adopt different tools and methods of research into the nature and behaviors of enquiry variables.
- Structured and unstructured interviews are both diagnostic in nature.
- Bias
Structured and unstructured interviews are both susceptible to enquiry bias. In structured interviews, bias results from restricting interviewees to options which forces them to cull an reply that may not represent his or her views
Bias can also outcome from the relationship between the interviewer and the interviewee in unstructured interviews.
How to Conduct an Unstructured Interview
- Avoid leading questions
The aim of an unstructured interview is to allow respondents to freely communicate their thoughts and opinions. This is why information technology is important for every interviewer to avoid request leading questions that direct the research towards premeditated responses.
The all-time way to ask the questions in an unstructured interview is to phrase your inquiries in a style that allows interviewees to communicate their feelings and views, freely. Leading questions often communicate unsaid meanings that can lead to survey response bias.
Examples of leading questions include the following:
- How useful has our product been to you?
- How impactful was the seminar on drug abuse?
Examples of not-leading questions include:
- What do yous experience nigh our production?
- What are your observations with regards to the drug abuse seminar?
- Probe across the surface
In social club to get together insightful and in-depth information about a research subject, information technology is of import for the interviewee to prove across the surface. This means asking a range of follow-upward questions that reveal more information well-nigh an interviewee'southward thoughts and experiences.
- Explore inconsistencies
Sometimes, an interviewee's statements contradict their previous assertions or explanations. In such a situation, it is of import for the interviewer to explore these apparent inconsistencies by asking follow-up questions that clarify a misunderstanding or provide new information.
- Record your data
When taking and rewriting notes, ensure that you certificate the respondent's views and thoughts as accurately as possible. Focus on new words or pieces of information and, pay attending to subjects that seem unclear or disruptive equally very often, these phases provide valuable insights to understanding the thoughts of the interviewee.
How to Acquit Structured/Semi-Structured Interview with Formplus
You can utilise Formplus to conduct a structured or semi-structured interview. Formplus enables you to create online surveys and questionnaires which can be administered to interviewees in the form of a structured interview. Here is a footstep-by-step guide on how to deport a structured interview using Formplus:
Sign into Formplus
In the Formplus builder, y'all tin easily create an online questionnaire for your structured interview by dragging and dropping preferred fields into your course. To access the Formplus builder, you lot will need to create an account on Formplus.
Once you do this, sign in to your account and click on "Create Form " to begin.
Edit Course Title
- Click on the field provided to input your form championship, for example, "ABC Structured Interview Questionnaire".
Edit Form
- Click on the edit push button to edit the form.
- Add Fields: Drag and drop preferred form fields into your form in the Formplus architect inputs column. There are several field input options for survey forms in the Formplus architect.
- Edit fields
- Click on "Save"
- Preview form.
Customize Grade
Formplus allows you lot to add unique features to your structured interview questionnaire. You tin can personalize your questionnaire using various customization options in the builder. Here, yous tin can add background images, your organization'due south logo, and other features. You tin also change the display theme of your form.
Share your Form Link with Respondents
Formplus offers multiple course sharing options which enables you to acquit your structured interview online by sharing your class link with interviewees. Yous tin can use the straight social media sharing buttons to share your grade link to your organization's social media pages.
You can as well embed your questionnaire into your website so that form respondents can easily fill up information technology out when they visit your webpage. Formplus allows yous to transport out email invitations to interviewees and to as well share your form link as a QR code.
Conclusion
Both unstructured and structured interviews are used independently in research. While an unstructured interview allows yous to collect descriptive information about a enquiry subject, a structured interview allows you lot to collect quantitative research data, and this serves as the basis of further research.
Structured interviews are easy to replicate because they make apply of standardized questions arranged in a fixed interview sequence. On the other mitt, unstructured interviews are spontaneous in nature and generate interview questions based on the responses provided by the research subjects.
Ane-on-1 conversations are the most common means of conducting an unstructured interview because of its reliance on spontaneous inquiry. On the other hand, a structured interview can be conducted through one-on-1 interviews or through other methods like surveys and questionnaires.
You can use Formplus to create and administrate online surveys and questionnaires as role of a structured interview. Formplus offers multiple sharing options so that you can conveniently share your questionnaire with interviewees using different methods including email invitations and QR codes. Sign up for a complimentary trial today
Create Structured Interview/Surveys with Formplus
Source: https://www.formpl.us/blog/structured-unstructured-interview
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