Structured interview

Definition

A structured interview is a systematic method of questioning where the interviewer asks a predetermined set of questions in a specific order. This approach ensures consistency across interviews, making it easier to compare responses and analyze data effectively. By following a set structure, the interviewer can gather precise information while minimizing bias and leading questions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Structured interviews are particularly useful in research settings where gathering quantifiable data is essential.
2. The format reduces interviewer bias because each participant is asked the same questions in the same way.
3. They can be utilized in various contexts, including job interviews, surveys, and academic research.
4. Preparation is key for structured interviews, as interviewers must become familiar with the questions and understand their objectives before conducting them.
5. Structured interviews often lead to higher reliability and validity in research findings compared to unstructured formats.

Review Questions

• How does a structured interview differ from other types of interviews in terms of data collection?
  • A structured interview differs from other types like semi-structured or unstructured interviews by having a fixed set of predetermined questions that are asked in a specific order. This method allows for easier comparison of responses across different participants, as everyone answers the same questions. In contrast, unstructured interviews may lead to varying topics being discussed, making data analysis more complex and subjective.
• Discuss the advantages of using structured interviews in research compared to unstructured methods.
  • Structured interviews provide several advantages in research, including increased reliability due to standardized questions that limit variability in responses. This format also enhances comparability across different respondents, making it easier to analyze results quantitatively. Additionally, by minimizing bias and leading questions, structured interviews help ensure that the data collected accurately reflects participants' views rather than the interviewer's influence.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of structured interviews in gathering qualitative versus quantitative data, considering their potential limitations.
  • Structured interviews are highly effective for gathering quantitative data due to their standardized format, which allows for statistical analysis and comparison. However, they may not be as effective for capturing rich qualitative insights since they restrict respondents to predefined answers. This limitation can result in missing nuanced perspectives that open-ended formats might capture. Therefore, while structured interviews excel at reliability and comparability, researchers may need to complement them with other methods to gain deeper qualitative understanding.

Related terms

semi-structured interview: A semi-structured interview blends predetermined questions with open-ended ones, allowing for flexibility in responses while still providing some consistency.

open-ended questions:

Questions that allow respondents to answer in their own words, encouraging more detailed and nuanced responses.

interview guide:

A document that outlines the questions and topics to be covered during an interview, helping to keep the discussion focused and organized.