Considerations before, during and after an interview

Considerations before, during and after an interview By Mr Daniel Hansson

Considerations • Prepare aim and questions • Training of interviewer • Sampling • Data recording • Transcription • Ethical considerations

Prepare aim and questions • Type of questions (open-ended, closed, descriptive, structural, contrast, evaluative) • Design follow up questions • Pilot questions

Training and choice of interviewer • Consider age, gender and ethnicity of interviewer and how it may affect interviewee

Sampling • Purposive sampling • Snowball sampling

Data recording • Audio (recorder) • Visual (video) • Written (notes)

Data recording • Check that the equipment works • The ownership of the recording and transcript should be made clear and a document signed to this effect • Thank the participant, an invitation to listen to the audio recording, read transcript and to make amendments, delete or add if they so wish

Transcription • Traditional (word by word) • Postmodern(e.g. body language, pauses, interruptions, intonation, volume and pitch of speech

Ethical considerations • Plan questions in advance so that they are not ethically doubtful (e.g. consider gender, ethnicity, religion) • Explain reason for interview to participants (informed consent) • The right of the participant to withdraw at any time • Confidentiality and anonymity of participants • The right of the participants to alter the transcript or recordings produced during the interview • Participants may also participate in the research process in a consultative manner • Participants may be sent a report of research findings that arise from the investigation

Considerations before, during and after an interview