4. Structured interviews
Structured interviewing involves asking each interviewee the same set of standardised questions. The
order of questioning is fixed and wording is usually specific: there is little scope for probing or
deviating from the specified agenda. The questions and the responses given tend to fit into predetermined
categories, confirming or disconfirming the hypothesis the interviewer is pursuing. In studies where
interviewers need to make comparisons between responses from different interviewees, they will require
their interviews to be more structured, so that the same issues are covered by each respondent (Arthur
and Nazroo, 2003). This method is more closely related to the methods
used in large-sample surveys and is usually based on a positivist epistemology.
Example
Study Number: 5069
Study Title: Presentation of Genetically Modified (GM) Crop Research to Non-specialists, 1997-2002: A
Case Study
Principal Investigator(s): Cook, G and Robbins, P.T
Date of Fieldwork: 1997-2002
Abstract: The study investigated the presentation of genetic modification (GM) crop research at the
University of Reading to non-specialists within the university, and to users, potential students, and
the general public outside. The aim was to uncover how linguistic and rhetorical choices vary with the
purpose of the communication and with the communicator's perceptions of audience knowledge and views, and
how these choices may persuade or antagonise their receivers.
Citation:
Cook, G. and Robbins, P.T., Presentation of Genetically Modified (GM) Crop Research to Non-specialists, 1997-2002 : A Case Study [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], February 2005. SN: 5069
Structured interviews - interview schedule
Structured interviews - interview extract one
Structured interviews - interview extract two
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