CONCEPT OF INTERVIEW IN A RESEARCH

Introduction

 All information collected during the process of conducting a research may be referred to as data. There are different sources and kind of data that comes within the purview of a researcher.  The sources of data comprise the population of study which could be students, parents, teachers, workers, administrators e.t.c

The data collection strategies involve the use of different types of techniques and tools including Tests, Questionnaires, Films, and Tapes, Interview, Physical measurement, Observation and rating scale.

However, the strategy to be discussed here is the Interview Method.

INTERVIEW

A research interview is a method of gathering information through oral question and answer method and involves personal contact between the interviewer (Researcher) and the interviewee (the person that supplies the information).

According to Aderson et al (1974), interview could be used as a measurement techniques in evaluating a person e.g  to help make decision for selecting and promoting employees; but interviews are also used for programme evaluation.

Interviews may be structured or unstructured. The Structured interview has predetermined content (questions) and standard procedure very similar to objective tests. The response option to the questions may be presented either orally or visually using display cards. The unstructured interview is similar to the free response questionnaires except that the interview allows opportunity for the interviewer to ask questions to further probe given responses

STEPS FOR PREPARING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

The first step in preparing interview item is to specify the variables to be measured and then prepare questions that focus on those variables. The questions should also incorporate items on the features of the variables as operationally defined.

Tuckman (1978) pointed out that it is acceptable to employ more than on question format and more than one response mode in an interview schedule. However, there are three essential stages in the successful use interview for data collection. These are:

1.Preparation of relevant questions

2. Establishment of rapport

3. Recording of elicited information

1.  Preparation of relevant questions:  The researcher should be guided by the research questions when preparing the interview schedule to ensure that all items in the schedule are targeted at eliciting answers that will contribute to answering the research questions of for testing the formulated hypothesis. The following guidelines should be born in mind when preparing an interview questions:

–   Ensure that the language of the questions is understandable and appropriate to the level of the respondents. Be precise but ensure comprehensive coverage of the topic of investigation.

–   Ensure that the language of the questions is is capable of eliciting the required answers; hence avoid the use of offensive oppressions.

–   The number of interview questions should be moderate

–   After drafting the questions, review them to correct any mistake or grammatical errors before compiling the final list of questions for the interviews.

–  Read through the final questions and be conversant with the order of the questions before embarking on the interviews.

–   Obtain a prior appointment with interviewee specifying that date, the objective, time and if possible the expected duration.

2. Establishing Rapport:  Rapport with the interviewee is of critical importance to ensure the right frame of mind for the interview. Aside from appropriate greetings and brief introduction of the mission, the interviewer should take into consideration certain practical measures that may assist in breaking the ground and achieving desired rapport. These considerations include:

–   Ensure that the venue for the interviews is secluded and conducive and is void of distracting noise or offensive odour.

–  Avoid dress style and dress colour that may appear either seductive or offensive to the interviewee.

–  Ensure an impressive personal hygiene with regard to dental cleanliness and use of profuse cosmetics.

3. Recording of Elicited Information: The researcher should decide before hand the method of recording the responses to the interview questions. The four modes of recording that may be considered are:

i)  Use of Audio Tape recorder : This saves time and captures virtually everything that is discussed during the interview provided the tape is adequately powered.

ii) Recording by Long  Hand: There are two approaches depending on the questions. For unstructured interview using open-ended questions, the interviewer should provide data blanks in which to record answers by the interviewee. For structured interview based on an interview schedule, all the researcher does it to check the option of the interviewee.

iii) Recording by Heart: This mode will certainly appear friendlier to the interviewee by reducing the formality of the interaction but since the memory is prone to forgetfulness, much of the details of the responses may be lost when the researcher wants to recall and record them.

iv) Use of Video Tape Recorder: This technological equipment will record both the pictures and the voice of both the interviewer and the interviewee. It has the advantage of recording not just the response to the questions but the expressed emotion as well. However, it may require a research assistant to operate the camera as the interviews goes. It may also arouse suspicion in the interviewee about the ultimate use of the responses.

MERITS OF INTERVIEW

1.     There is opportunity for immediate feedback and the researcher gets the information sought for without delay.

2.     There is flexibility that allows the researcher to reframe questions that seem difficult or fail to attract responses.

3.     Interviews are adaptable to the level of literacy of the respondents and so can elicit information in situations where questionnaires are ruled out.

4.     The element of face to face contact reduces the possibility of respondents giving fake answers to questions especially where good rapport had been established before the interview proper.

5.     The researcher using the interview method of data collection is certain that subjects would be contracted and that responses would be elicited.

Demerits of Interviews

1.     Interviews are expensive and time consuming to carry out

2.  Although adaptable for collecting information from illiterates, it may require the engagement of translators if the researcher does not understand the vernacular of the interviewee.

3.     In cultural settings where contact with married women is restricted, the use of interview may require the recruitment and training of female research assistants to execute the interview.

4. Sometimes the interviewee may decide to give impressionistic answers that do not contribute to answering the research questions.

5.     A worse response effect leading to collection of unreliable data is associated with antagonism from respondent that feels insecure with the type of probing questions asked during the interviews.

REFERENCES

Aderson, S.B.; Samuel ball; and Richard T.Murphy. 1974. Encyclopedia of

Educational Evaluation. New York: Jossey- Bass and Associates Publishing Company Ltd

Anikweze, C.M 1995. Conductiong Purposeful Educational  Research:

Essentials and the sequence. In research frame work for Teachers Education in Nigeria,29-56. Editors: Lassa, P.N; Charles M.Anikweze, Moses O.Ojo and Alex.A Maiyanga.Kaduna:NCCE publication.

Charles M. Anikweze  2009: Simplified Approach to Educational Research;

            Snaap Press Ltd, Snaap drive independence layout Enugu.

Tuckman, B.W 1978. Conducting Educational Research. New York: Harcourt

            Brace Jovanovich.