RESEARCH INTERVIEW: TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS - SCIENCE - 2025

A research interview is that face-to-face conversation that takes place between the researcher (interviewer) and the study subject (interviewee). For example, a journalist could interview a doctor to find out the possible causes of the spread of a virus.

The purpose of this type of interview is to obtain relevant information on a subject of study, through verbal responses given by the subject of study. This type of interview focuses on specific questions related to a proposed problem.

Due to its more flexible nature, it is considered that more and better information can be obtained through the interview than that which would be derived from a questionnaire. It is characterized because the researcher can explain in a personal way the topic that will be discussed during the interview.

In this way, if there are concerns on the part of the subject of study, they can be raised openly and they will be resolved immediately. All of this ensures that there are better answers.

In its broadest sense, a research interview is a system for obtaining oral information, which can occur in one or more senses, since it can be taken as a conversation between the researcher and the study subject.

The questions within this type of interview are oriented in such a way that the information required by a specific study can be obtained. The questions are posed according to the objectives defined by said study.

It is an ideal research tool to gather information from all types of audiences, since it does not require written responses.

Types of research interview

There are three types of research interviews: structured, unstructured, and semi-structured.

- Structured research interview

The structured research interview is governed by a course of standardized questions. These questions are posed in the same way and in the same order to each of the objects of study.

This type of research interview requires the preparation of a form, which includes all the relevant questions for the research.

For this reason, the researcher has less freedom to ask the study subject questions. This condition limits personal interaction between interview participants.

Advantage

The structured research interview ensures that the same questions are asked of all study subjects. For this reason, the resulting information can be manipulated in a standardized, simple and objective way.

On the other hand, the interviewer requires less training on the subject of study before doing the interview, since the interaction with the subject of study is limited.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of the structured research interview is the high cost of preparing it. The level of complexity of the interview should be calculated in such a way that it is easy for the study subject to understand.

Also, this type of interview reduces the interviewer's chances of acting more spontaneously.

The subject of study, for his part, is also limited by the structure of the interview, which is why he cannot ask questions openly to the researcher.

- Unstructured research interview

This type of interview is much more open and flexible, without neglecting the objectives initially established in the investigation.

How the questions are posed, the content compilation, the depth, and the number of questions posed is up to the interviewer.

The researcher within this type of interview has the freedom to pose the questions in such a way that they are easier for the study subject to answer.

However, any changes that arise in the course of questions should not go against the objectives of the investigation.

Unstructured interview research is useful for conducting more detailed studies. Therefore, it is often used during the exploratory phase of research to design data collection instruments.

Advantage

The main advantage of the unstructured research interview is that it gives the researcher more flexibility to ask the appropriate questions of the study subject.

The researcher can spontaneously delve into other related areas relevant to the investigation.

In this way, relevant information comes to light that may have been ignored during the initial statement of the research objectives.

Disadvantages

One of the main disadvantages of this type of interview is that, as it is more spontaneous, the time established to carry out the interview can be used erroneously.

On the other hand, the researcher may include his own perspective when posing the questions, thus skewing the answers.

In this sense, the results can be altered by the researcher, who can collect and interpret them incorrectly or outside the specific objectives of the research.

- Semi-structured research interview

It is a type of mixed interview where the researcher has a course of questions to ask the subject of study. However, the questions are open, allowing the interviewee to give a freer, deeper and more complete answer.

For this reason, it is understood that the semi-structured research interview allows the study subject to clarify their answers and delve into issues that were not initially raised in the course of questions.

Advantage

The main advantage of this type of interview is its organized and flexible structure. It is an interview model that is perceived more naturally among the interview participants, without neglecting the object of study of the interview.

In the same way, the interviewer can relate the answers of the study subject with questions present in the course, covering the topics with greater breadth.

Disadvantages

The interviewer needs to pay close attention to the answers given by the subject of study, in order to prevent it from straying from the research topic.

Conditions for the success of the research interview

In order for a research interview to be successful, it must meet the conditions listed below:

1 - The subject of study must have the necessary information to answer the questions that are asked.

2 - The person interviewed must have some kind of motivation to answer the questions honestly and completely.

3 - Both the researcher and the study subject must have knowledge of the subject to be discussed.

References

1. Amador, MG (May 29, 2009). Investigation methodology. Obtained from The Investigation Interview: manuelgalan.blogspot.com
2. (March 22, 2008). Methods of data collection in qualitative research: interviews and focus groups. British Dental Journal, pp. 291-295.
3. Dudovskiy, J. (2017). Research Methodology. Obtained from Interviews: research-methodology.net
4. Jaen, U. d. (2005). The qualitative research interview. Jaen: University of Jaen.
5. McNamara, C. (2017). Free Management Library. Retrieved from General Guidelines for Conducting Research Interviews: managementhelp.org.