Definition
Unstructured interviews involve a complex interaction between researchers and interview subjects undertaken for the purpose of collecting data pertaining to cognitive processes, social worlds, and experiences. Unlike structured interviews, yet similar to natural conversations, researchers ask questions that are largely unscripted.
Description
Unstructured interviews are informal conversational interviews in which respondents may not even know they are being interviewed (Patton, 2002). Unstructured interviews do not rely on a list of predetermined questions. Instead, interviewers adopt what Patton refers to as a “go with the flow” conversation style defined by their role in the field setting. By contrast, semi-structured interviews use a written guide to focus the interview on particular topics or issues. The topic guide is prepared prior to the interview and interviewers tend to stay focused on prescribed topics. Alternatively, structured questionnaires use questions and...
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References
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Sanchez, C. (2014). Unstructured Interviews. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3121
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3121
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