On this page you will find our recommendations for creating an interview protocol for both structured and semi-structured interviews. Your protocol can be viewed as a guide for the interview: what to say at the beginning of the interview to introduce yourself and the topic of the interview, how to collect participant consent, interview questions, and what to say when you end the interview.
These tips have been adapted from Jacob and Furgerson’s (2012) guide to writing interview protocols and conducting interviews for those new to qualitative research. Your protocol may have more questions if you are planning a structured interview. However, it may have fewer and more open-ended questions if you are planning a semi-structured interview, in order to allow more time for participants to elaborate on their responses and for you to ask follow-up questions.
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- Use a script to open and close the interview
- Collect informed consent
- Start with the basics
- Create open-ended questions
- Ensure your questions are informed by existing research
- Begin with questions that are easier to answer, then move to more difficult or abstract questions
- Use prompts
- Be prepared to revise your protocol during and after the interview
- Be mindful of how much time the interview will take
- Pilot test your questions with a colleague
References
Jacob, S. A., & Furgerson, S. P. (2012). Writing Interview Protocols and Conducting Interviews: Tips for Students New to the Field of Qualitative Research. The Qualitative Report, 17(2), 1-10.
Welch, C., & Piekkari, R. (2006). Crossing Language Boundaries:. Management International Review, 46, 417-437. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11575-006-0099-1.pdf