1. Sundar Barman Deptt. of Extension Education AAU, Jorhat
Preparation of Semi structured interview Schedule -Focus group discussion - Personal observation of meeting
Sundar Barman
Deptt. of Extension Education
AAU, Jorhat
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

2. Semi-structured interviews
Conducted with a fairly open framework.
It allow for focused, conversational, two-way communication.
Used both to give and receive information
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

3. Starts with more general questions or topics.
Relevant topics (such as cookstoves) are initially identified and the possible relationship between these topics and the issues such as availability, expense, effectiveness become the basis for more specific questions which do not need to be prepared in advance.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

4. The majority of questions are created during the interview,
Not all questions are designed and phrased ahead of time.
The majority of questions are created during the interview,
Both the interviewer & interviewee get the flexibility to probe for details or discuss issues.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

5. Semi-structured interviewing is guided only in the sense that some form of interview guide, such as the matrix described below is prepared beforehand, and provides a framework for the interview
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

6. Purpose of SSI
Obtain specific quantitative and qualitative information from a sample of the population
Obtain general information relevant to specific issues,
(ie: to probe for what is not known)
Gain a range of insights on specific issues
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

7. key informant interview
Types of SSI
Individual interview
key informant interview
Group interviews
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

8. The individual interview
- Get representative information about the society form individual informants
- Ask individuals at a time
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

9. The key informant interview
- Get specialized information from one or group of persons about the community
- Informants with specialized knowledge
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

10. - Useful for obtaining general information about the community
Group interviews:
- Useful for obtaining general information about the community
- Better for cross checking information
- Group interviews require very
careful preparation
- The ideal group is 8 – 15 people
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

11. Major benefits
Less intrusive to issues but encourages two-way communication.
It can also function as an extension tool.
Confirms what is already known but also provides the opportunity for learning.
Provide not just answers, but the reasons for the answers
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

12. Major benefits contd….
When individuals are interviewed they may more easily discuss sensitive issues
Help field staff become acquainted with community members.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

13. Using the SSI Establish the sample size and method of sampling.
Design (facilitator and/or interview team) an interview framework such as the matrix example. Include topics or questions for discussion.
Establish the sample size and method of sampling.
Interviewers can conduct a number of practice interviews with each other and/or with a few community members, to become familiar with the questions, and get feedback on their two-way communication skills.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

14. Using the tool contd…
Record only brief notes during the interview. Immediately following the interview elaborate upon the notes.
Analyze the information at the end of each day of interviewing. This can be done with the interview team or group.
Discuss the overall results of the analysis with community members so that they can challenge the perceptions of the interview team. This can make the process even more participatory.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

15. Precautions in Using the tool
A lot of extra information may surface during interviews. Team meetings can help identify similarities in responses.
Assure that, in a personal interview, the person being interviewed understands and trusts that the responses will be confidential.
It may take some practice for the interviewer to find the balance between open-ended and focused interviewing.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

16. In a semi-structured group interview people may
interrupt one another or
"help one another out," or
not take turns. They may get off the topic completely.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

17. Interviewers need some skills.
The most common problem with interviewers is asking leading questions.
Other problems are:
failure to listen closely;
repeating questions that have already been asked;
failure to probe when necessary;
failure to judge the answers;
and asking vague or insensitive questions
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

18. Focus Group Discussion
FGD is a rapid assessment, semi‐structured data gathering method in which a purposively selected set of participants gather to discuss issues and concerns based on a list of key themes drawn up by the researcher/facilitator (Kumar 1987).
This qualitative research technique was originally developed to give marketing researchers a better understanding of the data from quantitative consumer surveys.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

19. Purpose of FGD
To gain knowledge about a particular topic or need by interviewing a group of people directly affected by the issue.
FGD is used to conduct a needs assessment or evaluating a program.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

20. Facilitator – he is moderator of FGD & should be
How to conduct a FGD
Facilitator – he is moderator of FGD & should be
familiarity with the discussion topic
ability to speak the language spoken of the area
cultural sensitivity,
genuine interest in people
sensitivity to men and women
politeness
empathy
respect for participants
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

21. After a brief introduction, the purpose and scope of the discussion are explained.
Participants are asked to give their names and short background information about themselves.
The discussion is structured around the key themes using the probe questions prepared in advance.
During the discussion, all participants are given the opportunity to participate.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

22. Use a variety of moderating tactics to facilitate the group.
Stimulate the participants to talk to each other, not necessarily to the moderator.
Encourage shy participants to speak.
Pay close attention to what is said in order to encourage that behavior in other participants.
Use in‐depth probing without leading the participant.
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

23. Discourage dominant participants
Call on other participants
Politely intervene by saying, “Maybe we can discuss that in another occasion...”
Look in another direction
Take advantage of a pause and suggest that the subject can be discussed in detail in another session
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

24. Rice Planthopper Outbreaks
Sample FGD Guide
Rice Planthopper Outbreaks
1. How are outbreaks reported?
2. What is the flow of outbreak information from the field upwards?
3. And usually how long will this take to reach Agril.directors?
4. How do Agril. directors act on reports of outbreaks?
5. Are reports of outbreaks from the field communicated upwards to the central offices or contained within the province?
6. What is AD’s management procedure for dealing with a pest outbreak? What about the People’s Committee?
7. During the BPH/virus outbreak last season, what do you think was expected of you as an extension official? As a People’s Committee vice chairman?
8. What steps did AD take to manage the BPH/virus problem last season? What about the People’s Committee in the area?
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

25. 9. What virus disease management options were preferred and recommended by PPD? (Chemical, escape strategy, etc.) Why was that option chosen? 10. What were your worries about the BPH/virus outbreak? 11. What were your worries about the disease management option you have chosen and recommended to farmers?
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

26. 12. How much was the budget allocation for virus disease control
12. How much was the budget allocation for virus disease control? How was this amount determined? What was the basis for the budget allocation? 13. How was the budget allocation decided in PPD? 14. Who decides the budget allocation for pest outbreaks? 15. What extension mechanisms were used to communicate to farmers about virus disease control?
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

27. Problem tree
It is an useful PRA method to analyse problems in an area.
Purpose
To identify main problems and establish the cause and effect relationships between these problems so that they may be appropriately addressed / intervened in a time by mobilizing necessary resources
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

28. Procedure
Perform this exercise with a relevant group of people in a village inntroducing the topic and explaining them to reveal various problems affecting them.
Enlist / brainstorm all problems in the agro-eco system / situation and write each on a chart paper (or on cards )
Identify a commonly agreed core problem (linked to most other problems) and write a precise statement / definition which reflects the problem
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

29. Procedure
Critically analyse the root of various problems being discussed and their causes and take personal notes (on a note pad) for designing intervention strategies later
Seek viewpoints from all regarding various causes
Try to find all cause and effect relations
There can be more causes to one effect or more effects to one cause.
Review the result, check the logic and revise if necessary
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

30. Procedure contd..
Draw vertical links to show cause-effect relationships, and horizontal links to show joint causes and combined effects.
Copy the diagram on a sheet of paper
Seek consensus of the people on the need for solving the problems with intervention from concerned Govt agencies / departments or NGOs and rank them on a priority basis (if needed by guiding with supporting technical information / logic)
Thank the people and appeal for cooperation, commitment and sharing responsibility, once the project is practically launched in the near future
Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

31. Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education

32. Sundar Barman, Deptt. of Extension Education