Structured interview: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Survey research method}}

A '''structured [[interview]]''' (also known as a '''standardized interview''' or a '''researcher-administered survey''') is a [[quantitative research]] method commonly employed in [[survey research]]. The aim of this approach is to ensure that each [[interview]] is presented with exactly the same questions in the same order. This ensures that answers can be reliably aggregated and that comparisons can be made with confidence between sample subgroupssub groups or between different survey periods.

== Structure ==

Structured interviews are a means of collecting data for a [[statistical survey]]. In this case, the data is collected by an interviewer rather than through a self-administered [[questionnaire]]. Interviewers read the questions exactly as they appear on the survey questionnaire. The choice of answers to the questions is often fixed (close-ended) in advance, though open-ended questions can also be included within a structured interview.

A structured interview also standardises the order in which questions are asked of survey respondents, so the questions are always answered within the same context. This is important for minimising the impact of [[context effects]], where the answers given to a survey question can depend on the nature of preceding questions. Though context effects can never be avoided, it is often desirable to hold them constant across all respondents. By doing so, structured interviews often have increased validity.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Blackman|first1=Melinda C.|last2=Funder|first2=David C.|date=2002|title=Effective Interview Practices for Accurately Assessing Counterproductive Traits|url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/1468-2389.00197|journal=International Journal of Selection and Assessment|language=en|volume=10|issue=1&2|pages=109–116|doi=10.1111/1468-2389.00197|issn=0965-075X|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

== Other uses ==

=== Qualitative research ===

Structured [[interviews]] can also be used as a [[qualitative research]] methodology.<ref>[http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book226668 Kvale & Brinkman. 2008. InterViews, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.] {{ISBN |978-0-7619-2542-2]}}</ref> These types of interviews are best suited for engaging in respondent or [[focus group]] studies in which it would be beneficial to compare/contrast participant responses in order to answer a research question.<ref>[http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book225567 Lindlof & Taylor. 2002. Qualitative Communication Research Methods, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.] {{ISBN |978-0-7619-2494-4]}}</ref> For structured qualitative interviews, it is usually necessary for researchers to develop an interview schedule which lists the wording and sequencing of questions.<ref>[http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book9906 Patton. 1991. Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods, 3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.] {{ISBN |978-0-7619-1971-1]}}</ref> Interview schedules are sometimes considered a means by which researchers can increase the reliability and credibility of research data.<ref>[http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book225567 Lindlof & Taylor. 2002. Qualitative Communication Research Methods, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.] {{ISBN |978-0-7619-2494-4]}}</ref>

=== Hiring ===

Structured interviews have been advocated for use in the hiring process as well,.<ref>"[http://www.gladwell.com/2000/2000_05_29_a_interview.htm The New-Boy Network] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728154839/http://www.gladwell.com/2000/2000_05_29_a_interview.htm |date=2012-07-28 }}", [[Malcolm Gladwell]], ''[[The New Yorker]],'' May 29, 2000</ref> thoughStructured theinterviews practicehave hasbeen notfound beento widelyprovide adoptedbetter hiring decisions as they are more accurate and objective.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dept of Psych EDI committee, McGill University |title=Structured vs. Unstructured Interview: Improving Accuracy & Objectivity |url=https://www.mcgill.ca/psychology/files/psychology/structuredinterviews.pdf |website=McGill University Department of Psychology}}</ref> The United States Postal Service uses structured interviews for at least some of its hiring, and has printed [https://apps.opm.gov/ADT/ContentFiles/SIGuide09.08.08.pdf a guide to structured interviews] that is publicly available online. Also [[Google]] started them too after data-driven research found it to be beneficial over more common unstructured interviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://careers.google.com/how-we-hire/#does-google-still-ask-brainteasers-in-job-interviews|title=How we hire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://rework.withgoogle.com/guides/hiring-use-structured-interviewing/steps/read-googles-internal-research/|title=Read Google's internal research}}</ref>

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{-Clear}}

{{Social surveys}}

{{Employment}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Structured Interview}}

[[Category:Research methods]]

[[Category:Evaluation methods]]

[[Category:Quantitative research]]

[[Category:Job interview| ]]

[[Category:EmploymentInterviews|*]]

[[Category:Interviews]]

[[Category:Recruitment]]