Qualitative Interviewing (Module 2)

Session summary

This session will consider three different types of interviewing (structured, semi-structured and unstructured), but with a particular focus on semi-structured or 'qualitative' interviewing. Other issues covered will include the nature of interview questions, the design and structure of an effective interview schedule and the mechanics of conducting a successful interview (with different people and to deliver on our research aims). The idea is to share experiences, knowledge and potential 'tricks-of-the-trade'. Time will be allowed for raising questions and/or issues pertinent to your own PhD studies.

Indicative Feedback for this Session

In interviews in the past I have had trouble shutting up enough. I am aware of that, embarrassingly aware in fact. The prompts and links that you have highlighted will help me form better interviews which I am sure will result in better, more meaningful data collection. You have also helped me think about debriefing in a more positive way (Bath Spa).

Very informative - wish I'd done this course a year ago before I did my first batch of interviews (Winchester).

Brilliant, thanks a million. All very useful stuff! I really enjoyed it. Why? Because it was systematic, well structured, paced well, and covered pretty much everything (Falmouth).

The session has been hugely illuminating - thank you! The practical tips as to how to prepare an interview schedule, both for the purpose of the interview and for justifying the approach in the methods section of the thesis, were particularly useful. The pointers on getting things through the ethics committee were also very helpful…A million thanks for all your fantastic insights - so gratefully received (Huddersfield).

Thank you! Will be using my own interview schedule - great pointers as to how I can structure the interview from conceptualization to delivery in a really straightforward way. Also this session seems to 'humanize' interviews, which I find really important (Roehampton).