Project Tips Recent
Mastering the Art of In-Depth Interviews for Qualitative Studies
An interview is not an interrogation; it is a guided conversation. If you are doing a qualitative study, your ability to "probe" is your most valuable asset. If your respondent gives you a one-word answer, your Chapter Four will be empty.
### The Semi-Structured Approach
While a "Structured" interview is rigid, a "Semi-Structured" interview allows you to follow interesting tangents. You have a list of questions (Interview Guide), but you have the freedom to ask "Can you tell me more about that?" or "How did that make you feel?" This is where the real "gold" of qualitative data is found.
### Recording and Transcription
Never rely on your memory. Always use a high-quality voice recorder (with permission). The process of "Transcription"—turning audio into text—is exhausting but vital. It allows you to identify recurring themes and direct quotes that bring your Chapter Four to life.
### Dealing with "Elite" Interviewees
If you are interviewing CEOs, politicians, or professors, you must be prepared. They are busy people who do not have time for basic questions they could have answered on Google. Show them you have done your homework. If the logistics of transcription and coding are slowing you down, uniSupport offers professional transcription and thematic analysis services to help you process your interviews efficiently.
### The Semi-Structured Approach
While a "Structured" interview is rigid, a "Semi-Structured" interview allows you to follow interesting tangents. You have a list of questions (Interview Guide), but you have the freedom to ask "Can you tell me more about that?" or "How did that make you feel?" This is where the real "gold" of qualitative data is found.
### Recording and Transcription
Never rely on your memory. Always use a high-quality voice recorder (with permission). The process of "Transcription"—turning audio into text—is exhausting but vital. It allows you to identify recurring themes and direct quotes that bring your Chapter Four to life.
### Dealing with "Elite" Interviewees
If you are interviewing CEOs, politicians, or professors, you must be prepared. They are busy people who do not have time for basic questions they could have answered on Google. Show them you have done your homework. If the logistics of transcription and coding are slowing you down, uniSupport offers professional transcription and thematic analysis services to help you process your interviews efficiently.