Semi-structured interviews
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers for "semi-structured interviews"
Understanding Semi-Structured Interviews: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Semi-Structured Interviews
Semi-structured interviews are a widely used qualitative research method that combines structured questions with the flexibility to explore new topics as they arise during the conversation. This method is particularly useful when researchers have some knowledge about a topic but want to allow participants the freedom to introduce new issues and insights2.
Developing a Semi-Structured Interview Guide
Five-Phase Framework for Guide Development
The development of a semi-structured interview guide is crucial for ensuring the reliability and validity of the data collected. A systematic methodological review has identified a five-phase framework for creating such guides:
- Identifying Prerequisites: Understanding the context and purpose of using semi-structured interviews.
- Retrieving Previous Knowledge: Leveraging existing literature and prior research to inform the guide.
- Formulating the Preliminary Guide: Drafting initial questions and topics to be covered.
- Pilot Testing: Conducting trial interviews to refine questions and approach.
- Presenting the Complete Guide: Finalizing the guide based on feedback and pilot test results1.
Practical Tips for Conducting Interviews
Conducting semi-structured interviews requires careful planning and execution. Key steps include determining the study's purpose, identifying participants, considering ethical issues, and planning logistical aspects. Establishing trust and rapport with participants is essential for collecting open-ended data that delves deeply into their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs3.
Balancing Relationship and Rigour
Essential Skills for Interviewing
Effective semi-structured interviewing in primary care and other settings requires a balance between relational focus and methodological rigour. Essential skills include:
- Facilitation: Guiding the conversation while allowing flexibility.
- Memoing and Reflection: Documenting insights and reflections during and after interviews.
- Data Analysis: Systematically analyzing the collected data to ensure trustworthiness and validity3.
Addressing Ethical and Practical Considerations
Researchers must navigate ethical dilemmas and practical challenges, such as maintaining confidentiality and managing dual roles (e.g., insider and outsider) when interviewing colleagues or peers. Adopting a flexible conversational style and being aware of positionality can help mitigate these challenges8.
Enhancing Transparency and Data Sufficiency
Systematic Documentation and Visualization
To improve the transparency of interview refinements and determine the stopping point for data collection, researchers can use systematic methods to document changes and visualize novel and duplicate interview codes. Tools like the 'novelqualcodes' software package can convert coding matrices into graphs, helping researchers decide when they have reached data sufficiency4.
Conclusion
Semi-structured interviews are a powerful tool for qualitative research, offering a balance between structured inquiry and exploratory flexibility. By following a systematic approach to developing interview guides, honing essential interviewing skills, and employing transparent documentation methods, researchers can enhance the reliability and depth of their findings. This method is particularly valuable in complex research settings where understanding participants' nuanced perspectives is crucial.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Systematic methodological review: developing a framework for a qualitative semi-structured interview guide.
A rigorous five-step process for developing a qualitative semi-structured interview guide enhances study objectivity and trustworthiness, making results more plausible.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedSemi-Structured Interviews
Semi-structured interviews are useful for complex issues, allowing for deeper understanding and clarification of answers.
Highly CitedSemistructured interviewing in primary care research: a balance of relationship and rigour
Semistructured interviews in primary care research settings require a relational focus and facilitation skills to ensure quality data collection and understanding of individuals' thoughts, beliefs, and experiences.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedA Systematic Approach to Improving the Transparency of Interview Refinements and Data Sufficiency in Semi-Structured Interviews: An Illustration Using the Mass Atrial Fibrillation Screening Study
This paper presents a method to improve transparency in interview refinements and help researchers determine a stopping point in semi-structured interviews, using an open-access software package called 'novelqualcodes'.
Collecting data using a semi-structured interview: a discussion paper.
This paper explores the perceptions and needs of continuing professional education among nurses in practice in two district health authorities, using a semi-structured interview.
Highly CitedA reflection on the use of semi-structured interviews.
Semi-structured interviews are a useful and ethical method for data collection in research, but require reflection and consideration of ethical dilemmas and practicalities.
Highly CitedSituating and Constructing Diversity in Semi-Structured Interviews
Semi-structured interviews (SSIs) are a diverse and useful research method for qualitative and mixed-method research, with potential applications as a stand-alone method and as a strategy within mixed-method designs.
Highly CitedA Reflexive Lens on Preparing and Conducting Semi-structured Interviews with Academic Colleagues
Adopting a flexible conversational style during semi-structured interviews with academic colleagues can yield rich data, but researchers should be aware of their positionality and fluid roles.
A Rationale for the Use of Semi-Structured Interviews.
Semi-structured interviews are a suitable solution for inexperienced researchers to enhance data collection by interviewing respondents, while encouraging beginners to undertake the task.
Try another search
What is the cultural impact of global streaming services?
What is the impact of augmented and virtual reality on experiential learning and skill development?
What is the impact of telehealth technologies on expanding access to healthcare services in remote areas?
What is the Gene therapy in rare diseases?
What is the impact of climate change on global agriculture?
repurchase intention