About interviews
Introduction
An interview is a study methodology used to achieve specific research objectives. It involves an interviewer and an interviewee, where the primary tools of the interviewer are their questions (Kvale, 2007). The interviewer should conduct the interview in a manner that elicits the best responses, being attentive to their own reactions, as the interviewee is often sensitive to these reactions (Opdenakker, 2006). Considering the interviewee's sensitivity, support from the interviewer through nodding and other nonverbal means of encouragement is effective (Gill et al., 2008).
Types of interviews
There are various types of interviews, each suited for different studies, categories, objectives, and situations (George, 2022). In this study, we will focus on the one-on-one interview. Here are the different types of interviews for different studies, categories, objectives and situations.
One-on-one interviews are highly effective for understanding behavioral traits, providing reassurance to the interviewee, and offering an opportunity to delve deeper into specific topics. A one-on-one interview typically involves a formal meeting between an interviewer and an interviewee to assess the interviewee’s perspectives on certain topics, skills, qualifications, and cultural fit (Kvale, 2007).
There are various types of one-on-one interviews, each suited for different contexts and objectives (George, 2022):
• In-Person Face-to-Face: Direct interaction between the interviewer and interviewee, allowing for immediate feedback and non-verbal communication.
• Follow-Up Interviews: Face-to-face interviews can be followed, if necessary, by telephone or email contact for clarification of some issues.
• Distance Interviews: Conducted via phone, Zoom, MS Teams, or other virtual platforms, allowing for flexibility in location and timing.
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• Asynchronous Interviews: E.g., email interviews, which are only used in exceptio
Interview formats
The type of interview chosen should align with the study’s objectives and research questions. There are three main types of interviews: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured (Kvale, 2007).
Differences between structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews
Conducting interviews effectively requires skill and planning. The best way to prepare is to define whether the interview will be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured (Pollock, 2022). Each type has its advantages, and knowing the type of interview to conduct helps make it more successful, regardless of whether it is conducted over the phone or in-person (George, 2022). Structured Interviews have planned questions created in advance. All interviewees are asked the same questions, which helps evaluate the answers objectively and fairly (Scribbr, 2022). Structured interviews are more complicated to develop and should be tested beforehand to ensure interviewers follow them precisely. Although they are fairer, this type of interview can seem colder and more impersonal (Huffcutt & Murphy, 2023). Unstructured Interviews involve asking questions that are not prepared in advance. Instead, questions are made spontaneously during the conversation (Patton, 2002). The main advantage is its personalized approach, which makes candidates more at ease and naturally responsive. However, since different candidates are asked different questions, it becomes difficult to compare their answers and results (Brinkmann, 2014). Semi-Structured Interviews combine elements of both structured and unstructured interviews, offering advantages of both. They allow for objective comparison of candidates while providing the opportunity for interviewees to be spontaneous and approach topics relevant to them (Magaldi & Berler, 2020). In semi-structured interviews, interviewers ask a particular set of questions while the rest are not planned. Compared with structured interviews, they are less objective (Ruslin et al., 2022).
Conclusion
The interview is a widely used research methodology in management, with extensive applications. It is an effective method for obtaining answers to questions that require knowledgeable responses from interviewees. This method is reliable for gathering data on specific themes, given the openness and veracity of the interviewees when answering the posed questions (Kvale, 2007). The interview methodology allows researchers to gather more in-depth information and create bonds with interviewees while sharing common interests. The responses and their subsequent interpretations provide clarification of misinterpreted themes (Patton, 2002). Compared to other methods like observation or questionnaires, interviews offer more certainty about the actual information. They prevent non-respondent bias, low response rates, and missing questions, while allowing the development of trust and rapport with the informant, which is essential for obtaining accurate data (Gill et al., 2008).
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