Module 12 overview and learning objectives

Sociology -- Social Work

All interviews have a precise purpose and are more often than not constructed within an exact context. Even though there are forms of interviews other than the research interview, like job interview, assistance interview, journalist interview, investigative interview and entertainment interview, the research interview is designed to acquire information pertinent to investigating a scientific question (Neuman, 2006). One type of research interview is that of a survey interview.

Telephone or face-to-face interviews are a universal means of conducting survey research and are almost certainly the most frequent form of research interview. Survey interviews are utilized to evaluate a range of information, including behaviors, attitudes, preferences and intentions, frequently with the goal of generalizing the findings to a particular population. The survey interview is intended to collect information on variables that are comparatively circumscribed and to which the information is understood to have conscious access (Neuman, 2006).

Survey interview are usually highly structured and standardized in order to keep away from bias that may be introduced by the interview. On the other hand, the interview arrangement does give the interviewer some flexibility to clarify questions or answers if needed and to deal with exclusive interview situations. Because the goal of such interviews is to gather information that can be generalized to a particular population, key issues are sampling methods, ways to make the most of participant response rates and the most favorable design of questions in order to attain valid information (Neuman, 2006).

The main difference between survey interviewing and other types of interviewing is what it is that one wants to know when they are done. In survey interviewing the main point, especially in conducting research is to attempt to gather data in regards to a specific question with the intention of generalizing the findings to an entire population. In regards to other types of interviews the main point it usually to find out specific information about a specific individual.

Another difference between survey interviewing and other interviewing is the structure of the questions that are asked. There are three methods that are utilized in designing interviews. Unstructured interviewing methods are utilized throughout the earlier phases of usability evaluation. The purpose of the interviewer at this stage is to collect as much information as probable regarding the user's understanding and on their expectations of the system. Semi-structured interviews are utilized when the interviewer has an improved appreciation of system requirements. Thus, a more focused interview design can be used to center on the positions of interest. Yet, there can still be a measure of flexibility to permit the user to expand on an answer. Lastly, structured interviewing has an exact, set outline with exact questions to steer and direct the interview (Neuman, 2006).