Structured interview

Structured interview

A structured interview is a quantitative research method commonly employed in survey research. The aim of this approach is to ensure that each interview is presented with exactly the same questions in the same order. This ensures that answers can be reliably aggregated and that comparisons can be made with confidence between sample subgroups or between different survey periods.

Characteristics

Structured interviews are characterized by a strict adherence to a pre-determined set of questions. The interviewer follows a script and does not deviate from the set questions. This method contrasts with unstructured interviews and semi-structured interviews, where the interviewer has more flexibility to explore topics in depth.

Advantages

• **Consistency**: Since all respondents are asked the same questions in the same order, the data collected is consistent and can be easily compared.
• **Reliability**: The structured format reduces interviewer bias and ensures that the data is reliable.
• **Efficiency**: Structured interviews can be conducted more quickly than unstructured interviews because the questions are pre-determined.

Disadvantages

• **Lack of Depth**: The rigid structure may not allow for the exploration of topics in depth.
• **Inflexibility**: The interviewer cannot probe or ask follow-up questions, which may limit the richness of the data collected.
• **Respondent Discomfort**: Some respondents may feel constrained by the structured format and may not provide as much information as they would in a more flexible interview setting.

Applications

Structured interviews are widely used in various fields, including:

• Market research
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Human resources for job interviews
• Healthcare for patient assessments

Related Pages

• Survey research
• Unstructured interview
• Semi-structured interview
• Questionnaire
• Interview techniques

See Also

• Quantitative research
• Qualitative research
• Data collection
• Research methods

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