Psychology Chapter: Interviews as Data Collection

Reflexivity is the process of critically examining your own biases, assumptions, and influences on the research process. It helps ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of your findings.

Informed consent involves obtaining explicit permission from participants before they engage in the research. This ensures participants understand the nature, purpose, and risks involved in the study.

The right to withdraw allows participants to discontinue their participation in the research at any time without providing a reason.

Protecting participants from harm means avoiding situations that could cause physical or psychological distress during the research.

Confidentiality and anonymity ensure that participants' identities are kept private and not revealed in research reports or publications.

Small sample sizes are generally appropriate for semi-structured and unstructured interviews as the focus is on rich and detailed data.

Using politically correct language and appropriate phrasing during interviews promotes inclusivity and avoids potential bias or discomfort for participants.

A structured approach to research involves using pre-defined questions and standardized data collection methods, often used in quantitative research.

Interviews are a conversation-based data collection method used to gain insights into participants' experiences, beliefs, and perspectives.

Interviews can uncover rich and detailed information from individuals, leading to a deeper understanding of their unique experiences.

Interview data relies on self-reported information, which could be influenced by biases or inaccuracies in recall.

Individual interviews allow for in-depth exploration of a single participant's perspective. This can be useful for sensitive topics or when seeking detailed accounts.

A focus group brings together a small group of individuals to discuss a topic. It allows for interaction and shared perspectives among the participants.

The interviewer facilitates the conversation, guiding the discussion and ensuring all participants have a chance to share their thoughts.

Structured interviews use pre-determined questions, ensuring consistency across participants.

Semi-structured interviews use a set of guiding questions, but allow for flexibility in the discussion to explore emerging themes.

A situation in which a participant in an interview, unaware of the true purpose or intent of the research, attempts to guess what is expected of them and try to please the researcher, thereby potentially contaminating the data.

The process of providing the research participant with additional information about the study, clarifying any misunderstandings, and addressing any ethical concerns after the interview is complete.

Involves researchers contacting participants after the interview to confirm their understanding of the participant's responses and ensure the data interpretation reflects the participant's true meaning.

A process used for analyzing data obtained from semi-structured and unstructured interviews where the researcher identifies key themes and patterns emerging from the collected data.

Rephrasing what a participant has said during an interview without adding any personal interpretation, judgment, or correction, aiming to ensure accurate representation of the participant's views.

Interviews that provide structured questions with pre-defined answer choices. They allow for gathering numerical data that can be analyzed statistically.

Interviews that allow for more flexibility, with open-ended questions and opportunities for the participant to share their views and experiences in detail. They provide rich, descriptive data.

The researcher maintains a neutral and objective stance during the interview, avoiding any bias, prejudice, or personal opinions that might influence the data gathering process.