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Types of Interviews
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Today, we're going to explore the different types of interviews. Can anyone tell me what a structured interview is?
Isn't that when you ask the same questions in the same order to everyone?
Exactly, great! Structured interviews have their advantages, like making it easy to compare responses. Can someone share a disadvantage of this type?
Maybe it doesn't allow for unexpected insights?
Correct! Now, how about semi-structured interviews? What makes them different from structured ones?
They still have core questions but let the interviewer ask more based on the answers?
Exactly! It allows for a deeper understanding. Lastly, can someone describe what unstructured interviews involve?
It's more like a conversation without a strict order of questions.
Correct! They allow for rich narratives, but how might we analyze this data?
It could be tough to analyze since it's not standardized.
Absolutely! Summing up, we have three types: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews, each with their own benefits and challenges.
Crafting Effective Questions
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Now that we understand the types of interviews, let's discuss crafting effective questions. What is a common approach to structuring questions?
Isn't it called the funnel approach where you start broad and narrow down?
Correct! The funnel approach helps guide the conversation effectively. Can anyone give me an example of a broad question?
How about starting with, 'Describe your experience with this app?'
Perfect! What would be a narrower question we might follow up with?
Maybe something like, 'What specific function do you find most frustrating?'
Exactly! Now, it's important to use probing techniques to dive deeper. What are some examples of probing questions?
You could say, 'Can you tell me more about that?'
Great example! Recapping, effective question crafting involves starting broad with the funnel approach and utilizing probes to glean deeper insights.
Interview Logistics
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Shifting gears, let's discuss logistics. What are some strategies for recruiting interview participants?
Using purposive sampling to find specific users with characteristics we need.
Exactly! And what about snowball sampling? How does that work?
You ask participants to recommend others who could participate.
Right on! Once we have participants, what's the next step regarding recording responses?
We can use audio or video recording, and take notes on non-verbal cues too.
Exactly! Capturing both verbal and non-verbal signals is crucial. Let's remember to summarize: effective logistics involve strategic recruitment and thorough documentation of responses.
Analyzing Interview Data
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Finally, let's discuss how we analyze the data from interviews. Whatโs one important step after interviews are conducted?
Transcribing the interviews to get everything written down.
Correct! What should we pay attention to during transcription that might help in analysis?
Recording timestamps for key moments can help track important insights.
Absolutely! After transcription, whatโs the method we use to distill key themes?
Thematic coding helps us label meaningful segments of the data.
Exactly! And how can we visualize these codes?
Using affinity diagrams to group related codes.
Perfect! To summarize, analyzing interview data involves accurate transcription, thematic coding, and visualizing themes with tools like affinity diagrams.
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we explore techniques for conducting interviews to gather user insights, discussing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured formats. Each method has its advantages and limitations, and we also delve into crafting effective questions, managing logistics, and analyzing the resulting data.
Detailed
Interview Methodologies
In this section, we delve into the methodologies used for conducting user interviews, a critical aspect of gathering qualitative data in user research. Interviews uncover deep motivations, emotions, and behaviors, serving as a foundation for further analysis and design.
Types of Interviews
- Structured Interviews: These interviews involve a set list of pre-defined questions asked in the same order for all participants. This format is beneficial for comparing responses but limits the potential for unexpected insights.
- Semi-Structured Interviews: A blend between structured and unstructured formats, these feature core questions while allowing flexibility for further probing. This approach strikes a balance between consistency and depth but demands skillful interviewing techniques.
- Unstructured Interviews: This format resembles a free-flowing conversation guided by general topics, enabling the interviewer to explore rich, narrative data. However, systematic analysis of the data can be challenging.
Crafting Questions
Using a funnel approach to questions starts with broader queries before narrowing down to specific issues. Employing probing techniques, such as asking for elaboration, helps uncover deeper insights.
Interview Logistics
Key logistics in conducting interviews include effective recruitment strategiesโlike purposive and snowball samplingโand managing the logistics of recording responses, emphasizing the importance of capturing both verbal and non-verbal cues.
Analyzing Data
Post-interview, the data undergoes transcription followed by thematic coding, where meaningful segments are tagged for analysis. Techniques like the affinity diagram can group codes, which aids in visualizing patterns in user insights.
Significance
Understanding these methodologies is essential as they directly inform the development of user personas and journey maps in subsequent sections, helping designers to empathize with and address the needs of users.
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Understanding Interviews
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Interviews reveal deep motivations, attitudes, and pain points. There are three main types:
Detailed Explanation
This chunk introduces the importance of interviews in user research. Interviews are a way to dive deep into what users really think and feel, uncovering their motivations, attitudes, and the problems they face. There are three main types: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews, each with its unique approach and characteristics.
Examples & Analogies
Think of interviews like a treasure hunt. Each type of interview is a different tool in your treasure-hunting kit. A structured interview is like a map guiding you through predetermined paths to find treasure spots, while an unstructured interview is like exploring freely in a vast open field, where you might stumble upon unexpected treasures.
Structured Interviews
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1.2.1 Structured Interviews
โ Format: Preโdefined questions asked in the same order.
โ Advantage: Easy to compare responses.
โ Limitation: Limited scope for unexpected insights.
Detailed Explanation
Structured interviews consist of a set list of questions that are asked in a specific order. This approach is beneficial because all respondents answer the same questions, making it easy to compare their answers. However, this format may not allow for in-depth exploration of unexpected findings, as the conversation is tightly controlled.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine taking a multiple-choice test. Just like in a structured interview, you're given specific questions with defined answer choices. This makes scoring straightforward, but you're missing out on the chance to explain your thought process, like you could in an open discussion.
Semi-Structured Interviews
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1.2.2 SemiโStructured Interviews
โ Format: Core questions with flexibility to probe further.
โ Advantage: Balances consistency and depth.
โ Limitation: Requires skilled interviewers.
Detailed Explanation
Semi-structured interviews combine pre-set core questions with the opportunity to explore additional topics based on the respondent's answers. This offers a balance, allowing for consistent data collection while also providing room for deeper insights. However, it requires interviewers to be skilled in guiding the conversation effectively.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a semi-structured interview like cooking with a recipe. You have core ingredients (questions) that must be included, but you can add your own spices (follow-up questions) based on how the dish is coming along. This allows the final product to have unique flavors that reflect your taste.
Unstructured Interviews
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1.2.3 Unstructured Interviews
โ Format: Open conversation, guided by general topics.
โ Advantage: Rich, narrative data.
โ Limitation: Difficult to analyze systematically.
Detailed Explanation
Unstructured interviews are more like a casual conversation. There are general topics to guide the discussion, but the questions are not fixed. This format often leads to rich, narrative data, giving voice to the respondentโs story. However, it can become challenging to analyze systematically due to the varied responses.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a chat with a friend about your favorite books. You might start with a general theme of 'fantasy books' and both share stories that pop into your minds. While the conversation is lively and has lots of great insights, recalling specific details later could be tough because the discussion was free-flowing and unstructured.
Crafting Effective Questions
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1.2.4 Crafting Effective Questions
โ Funnel Approach: Begin with broad, contextual queries (โDescribe a typical dayโฆโ) then narrow down (โWhat frustrates you about โฆ?โ).
โ Probing Techniques: Use "Can you tell me more?" or "Why do you think that happened?" to unearth underlying reasons.
Detailed Explanation
Creating effective interview questions is key to gathering valuable insights. A funnel approach starts with broad questions to understand the overall context, then narrows down to specific issues or frustrations. Probing techniques encourage respondents to elaborate on their thoughts, leading to deeper insights.
Examples & Analogies
Picture a detective trying to solve a mystery. They start by gathering general information about the crime scene (broad questions) and gradually focus on specific suspects or events (narrow questions). Probing questions are like follow-up inquiries that help uncover more details.
Interview Logistics
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1.2.5 Interview Logistics
โ Recruitment Strategies:
โ Purposive Sampling: Select participants based on specific characteristics (age, experience level).
โ Snowball Sampling: Ask participants to refer others.
โ Recording and NoteโTaking: Use audio/video recording supplemented by realโtime notes. Mark nonโverbal cues (body language, tone changes).
Detailed Explanation
Logistics in interviews cover how to select participants and what methods to use during the interview. Purposive sampling focuses on specific characteristics to ensure relevant insights, while snowball sampling helps to reach more participants through referrals. Additionally, recording the conversation and taking notes (including non-verbal cues) enhances data collection.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine organizing a focus group for a new product. Youโd want to invite people who actually use similar products (purposive sampling) and ask them to bring friends who might also be interested (snowball sampling). Recording everything during discussions ensures you donโt miss insights, much like filming a rehearsal to capture the best performances.
Analyzing Interview Data
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1.2.6 Analyzing Interview Data
โ Transcription Best Practices: Use transcription software, then manually correct. Tag timestamps for key moments.
โ Thematic Coding: Assign codes (labels) to meaningful segments.
โ Affinity Diagrams: Group codes on sticky notes to visualize clusters and hierarchies.
Detailed Explanation
Once interviews are completed, analyzing the data is crucial. Transcription involves accurately typing out recordings, using software for efficiency but ensuring accuracy through manual checks. Thematic coding involves identifying common themes and labeling them, while affinity diagrams help visualize connections between these themes to organize insights.
Examples & Analogies
Think about a teacher reviewing students' essays. After collecting them (transcription), they highlight recurring themes such as 'creativity' or 'grammar errors' (thematic coding) and then arrange these themes on a board to observe patterns (affinity diagrams).
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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Structured Interviews: Pre-defined questions for consistency.
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Semi-Structured Interviews: Core questions with flexibility.
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Unstructured Interviews: Open-ended conversations for depth.
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Funnel Approach: Start broad, then narrow down questions.
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Thematic Coding: Labeling themes from qualitative data.
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Affinity Diagrams: Visualizing relationships between data codes.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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An example of a structured interview might involve a usability test asking participants the same set of questions about their experience with a software application, allowing for easy comparison of responses.
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A semi-structured interview scenario could involve asking a participant about their use of a mobile app, starting with broad questions about daily habits and then probing deeper based on their answers.
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During an unstructured interview, a researcher might ask an open-ended question like 'Tell me about your experience with learning apps,' and then follow the conversation's lead without predefined questions.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
๐ต Rhymes Time
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When structured we ask the same, for semi-structured we flex with aim, unstructured gives stories with no frame.
๐ Fascinating Stories
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Imagine a journalist interviewing three friends about their day. The structured one asks each the same questions in order, the semi-structured one adds follow-up questions on the fly, while the unstructured one lets the conversation flow freely, discovering all sorts of insights unexpectedly.
๐ง Other Memory Gems
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SSU - Structured, Semi-structured, Unstructured: Remember 'Silly Students Understand!' to recall the types of interviews.
๐ฏ Super Acronyms
P.U.B. - Purposive sampling, Unstructured method, Broad questions in funnels to remember interview logistics.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: Structured Interviews
Definition:
A format where pre-defined questions are asked in the same order to all participants.
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Term: SemiStructured Interviews
Definition:
Interviews that have core questions but allow for flexibility in probing for deeper responses.
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Term: Unstructured Interviews
Definition:
An open-format interview that resembles a conversation guided by general topics.
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Term: Funnel Approach
Definition:
A questioning technique that starts with broad queries and narrows down to specific topics.
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Term: Thematic Coding
Definition:
A method of identifying and labeling meaningful segments of qualitative data.
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Term: Affinity Diagrams
Definition:
A visual tool that groups related codes from thematic analysis to show patterns.
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Term: Purposive Sampling
Definition:
A recruitment strategy that selects participants based on specific characteristics.
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Term: Snowball Sampling
Definition:
A recruitment method where existing participants recommend additional participants.