1. What is meant by the term interview?
Gathering information in response to face –to-face questioning
Questions can be clarified and expanded upon
Answers can be explored in more detail modifying the set questions or asking new ones
Allows Pps to be reassured and may improve the access to data
Collection of mainly qualitative data which forms a story or narrative about a certain topic

2. Different types of interview
Structured: set format of standardised questions
Semi-structured: set questions but these can be varied and expanded upon
Unstructured: No set format for the questions, allows interviewer to follow the natural progression of the conversation

3. Interview schedules
Advance planning ensures information gathered addresses the research aims
Pps should be involved with the design of the schedule i.e.
the time and duration are convenient
they are happy with the type of questions to be asked
they understand their rights with regards to ethical guidelines

4. Interview ‘Process’: Taking notes
Not what they say but the way it is said
HOW the interviewee responds (talks and behaves) gives greater insight into the content
Observations may confirm, enrich, and sometimes even contradict the content
Does the interviewee sound confident/uncertain, confused/clear, convincing/doubtful, rational/illogical, etc?
What emotions are shown and when?
Interview ‘Process’: Taking notes

5. Steps in Conducting the Interview
ESTABLISH RAPPORT: Be polite and welcoming; explain project very breifly
DESCRIBE THE PROJECT: Share the interview schedule and go through the code of ethics,
OBTAIN INFORMED CONSENT; Ask them to sign your interview schedule
CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW: Keep your prompts/questions close to hand
ENDING THE INTERVIEW: Summarize, a chance to ask questions, say thank you.
TAKE NOTES: Sit down immediately and jot down your impressions of the interview
Steps in Conducting the Interview

6. Improving your technique
Clarification: "Could you tell me more about the part about xxx"
Reflection: "So you say that you feel warm when you hold your baby, can you tell me a bit more about that feeling?”
Encouragement: "The part about xxx is interesting. Could you tell me more about that?"
Comment: "That part about xxx sounds quite scary, how did you feel when..."
Spur: “Some people would say that ...do you ever think that…“
Summary: "So what your saying is ..."
Improving your technique

7. Open Questions “Why do you think your baby looks at you in that way?”
Closed Questions “How many children do you have?”
Extension Questions Q: Where did you have your baby?
A: At home; Extension Question (Closed) Q: Was this planned? Extension Question (Open) Q: Why did you choose to have your baby at home?
Echo Questions You say you were worried that you wouldn’t be able to cope, was there any particular reason for that or was it just a general; feeling?
Direct Questions What exactly were you looking for when you chose your childcare provider?
Summary Questions To clarify, you felt “unsure about how happy your child would be” XX nursery?
Types of question

8. Interviews Extension Work
TASK: Look at the quotes and try to explain what you think they might be saying about the worth of interviews as a means of collecting data in psychology
PROMPT: Are there are any that relate to validity, reliability, ethics, practicality, how easy they are to complete?
Interviews