Interview: Concept, Scope & Writing Skills

An interview is a conversation between two people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.

Interview is a systematic oral technique for obtaining data, directly from an individual. It is a conversation between two or more people, through which information are collected on a particular subject.

In the words of Dr. S. M. Amunuzzaman, “interview is a very systematic method hy which a person enters deeply into the life of even a stranger and can bring out needed information and data for the research purpose.

Thill and Bovee said that, “ an interview is any planned conversation with a specific purpose involving two or more people”.

Thus it can be stated that interview is an organized or planned conversation with a view to explore the unknown information from the interviewee.

Interview as a method for qualitative research

"Definition" - The qualitative research interview seeks to describe and the meanings of central themes in the life world of the subjects. The main task in interviewing is to understand the meaning of what the interviewees say.(Kvale,1996)

Aspects of qualitative research interviews

• Interviews are completed by the interviewer based on what the interviewee says.
• Interviews are a far more personal form of research than questionnaires.
• In the personal interview, the interviewer works directly with the interviewee.
• Unlike with mail surveys, the interviewer has the opportunity to probe or ask follow up questions.
• Interviews are generally easier for the interviewee, especially if what is sought are opinions and/or impressions.
• Interviews are time consuming and they are resource intensive.
• The interviewer is considered a part of the measurement instrument and interviewer has to be well trained in how to respond to any contingency.

Stages of interview investigation

• Thematizing, the why and what of the investigation
• Designing, plan the design of the study
• Interviewing, conduct the interview based on a guide
• Transcribing, prepare the interview material for analysis
• Analyzing, decide on the purpose, the topic, the nature and methods of analysis that are appropriate
• Verifying, ascertain the validity of the interview findings
• Reporting, communicate findings of the study based on academic criteria.