UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW Meaning and
Definition
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An unstructured interview refers to a qualitative research method in which an interviewer engages in a conversation with a participant, with no predetermined set of questions or fixed format. This type of interview allows for free-flowing, open-ended discussions and encourages the participant to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in depth.
During an unstructured interview, the interviewer has the flexibility to adapt the conversation based on the participant's responses, delving deeper into specific topics of interest or exploring new areas that arise during the conversation. This informal approach provides an opportunity for a more comprehensive understanding of the participant's perspective and allows for the exploration of nuanced and complex issues.
Unlike structured interviews, which rely on carefully crafted and standardized questions, unstructured interviews depend largely on the interviewer's ability to guide the conversation and actively listen to the participant. The interviewer can use probing questions to seek clarification or encourage the participant to elaborate on certain aspects. This technique encourages a rich exchange of ideas and enables researchers to collect rich and detailed qualitative data.
Due to its open-ended nature, unstructured interviews are widely used in disciplines such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and market research. They foster rapport between researcher and participant, promoting a comfortable atmosphere that facilitates more authentic responses. However, because the interview lacks a standardized structure, it can be challenging to analyze the gathered data, requiring researchers to employ qualitative data analysis techniques to make sense of the information collected.
Etymology of UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW
The word "unstructured interview" is composed of two main components: "unstructured" and "interview".
- "Unstructured" refers to something that lacks a specific, predetermined structure or format. In the context of an interview, it implies that the interview does not follow a rigid set of preplanned questions, sequence, or guidelines.
- "Interview" comes from the Middle French word "entrevue", which means a meeting or a conversation between two or more people. It evolved from the Latin word "interviewum", which combines "inter" (between) and "videre" (to see). Hence, "interview" originally referred to a face-to-face conversation.
Combining these two terms, the etymology of "unstructured interview" implies a conversational interaction without a pre-established format or set of questions.
