- What is Interview Schedule
- Meaning and Definitions of Interview Schedule
- Types of Interview Schedule
- Importance of Interview Schedule in Research
- Process of Preparing Interview Schedule
Introduction
Typically, individuals are seen across various media platforms, like TV, radio, or other forms of ICT, engaging in what seems like spontaneous interviews. Despite their apparent spontaneity, these interactions require thorough preparation for success. Contrary to popular belief, these “ambush” interviews are not random; they’re carefully scheduled beforehand. The questions asked are crafted in advance and organized into an interview schedule.
An interview schedule is a structured guide with predetermined questions designed to gather specific information on a topic or issue. During the interview, the interviewer refers to this schedule to ensure all relevant questions are addressed.
In essence, an interview schedule is a tool used by designated enumerators to conduct interviews. It comprises questions aimed at testing hypotheses or collecting targeted information, posed to the interviewee in a face-to-face setting by the interviewer.
Meaning of Interview Schedule
An interview is a direct exchange between an interviewer and interviewee, intended to delve into the interviewee’s behavior, obstacles, and future goals. Its main aim is to help the interviewee gain self-awareness and a clearer understanding of their environment, empowering them to overcome challenges and refine their plans. Crafting an interview schedule, which involves planning and structuring the questions asked during the interview, requires both creativity and careful preparation.
Developing an effective interview schedule requires extensive prior research and practice due to various factors. One significant challenge arises from the inherent ambiguity and diverse interpretations of language, which can obscure the intended focus on the issues and hypotheses being examined. Additionally, there might be a lack of acknowledgment regarding the interview schedule’s role as a precise measurement tool, as well as insufficient background knowledge and experience in its creation.
In summary, an interview schedule can be described as a prearranged set of questions, along with their corresponding responses, posed by the interviewer during a face-to-face meeting with the interviewee. Essentially, it acts as a structured framework designed to test assumptions or hypotheses, ensuring standardized questioning and responses. This consistency facilitates objective data collection, as each participant is required to respond to identical questions in the same manner. Moreover, the predetermined sequence of questions simplifies data comparison and analysis, while also streamlining the tabulation process. Thus, the interview schedule serves as both a tool for standardized inquiry and a facilitator for data organization and interpretation.
Types of Interview Schedule
Various types of interviews serve specific purposes and follow distinct structures. For example, research interviews are conducted to gather data for research purposes, while clinical interviews aim to obtain insights into an individual’s history or adjustment patterns. Interviews can be conducted one-on-one or with groups, leading to distinctions like individual and group interviews. Additionally, interviews can be classified as structured or unstructured.
In this discussion, our focus lies on understanding interview schedules. An interview schedule is a method used in individual data collection through self-reporting. In this method, individuals answer a series of questions in a face-to-face setting, addressing specific topics. Interviewers, often guidance personnel, may use predetermined questions, resulting in a structured interview. Conversely, if the interviewer does not follow a set list of questions, it is termed an unstructured interview. Two primary types of interview schedules or guides are commonly employed by interviewers:
1. In-depth Interview Schedule: This approach involves employing open-ended interviews aimed at thoroughly exploring a range of topics, including those of a serious or sensitive nature. Questions are deliberately left open-ended to enable interviewers to seek clarification or further details as necessary. The interview schedule reflects the interviewer’s understanding of the interview’s objectives and timeframe, with tailored questions crafted by the researcher to engage the interviewee (respondent) effectively.
2. Structured Interview Schedule: This specific interview format often draws comparisons to the structure found in survey forms or questionnaires because of their similarities. However, the key difference lies in their use: the interview schedule is utilized by the interviewer during face-to-face interactions, while the questionnaire is typically filled out by the respondent independently. The interview schedule contains the questions to be asked and serves as a framework for the interviewer to record the responses. Some interviewers may blend elements of both formats for increased flexibility when designing their interview schedule. Ultimately, the choice depends on the interviewer’s preferences and what they believe will best achieve their goals.
Formation of Interview Schedule
Crafting an interview schedule doesn’t adhere to a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s commonly customized to suit the unique nature and purpose of the interview, as well as the targeted audience or participants.
Yet, regardless of its customization, an interview schedule generally comprises three essential components:
1. Opening
2. Body
3. Closing
1. Opening: Certain scholars characterize this stage as the “preliminary phase,” focusing on creating a setting that fosters a fluid exchange of ideas between the interviewer and interviewee, whether it’s a solo or group interaction. At the outset, the interviewer should offer a friendly greeting to the interviewee, aiming to establish a relaxed ambiance. When the interviewee feels comfortable, it enhances the potential for a fruitful interview. Subsequently, the interviewer will continue by furnishing the interviewee with pertinent details, including:
1.1 Objectives of the interview: In social research, interviews serve a multifaceted purpose and play a vital role in the research process. They are primarily utilized to collect qualitative data directly from individuals or groups within specific social settings. Through these interactions, researchers delve deep into complex phenomena, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences, offering insights that quantitative approaches may overlook. Moreover, interviews help build rapport and trust between the interviewer and interviewee, encouraging open communication and allowing participants to freely express their viewpoints.
1.2 The duration of the interview: The person being interviewed wants to know how long the interview will last and wants reassurance that their time will be respected. They want to feel that the interview has a purpose and that they will gain something from it, but this depends on being encouraged to answer thoughtfully and honestly. Without this interaction, they might not feel motivated to fully participate or give meaningful answers. Adjusting the interview schedule to suit both the interviewer and interviewee can make the experience better for everyone.
2. Body: The primary function of the interview schedule’s main section is to facilitate the central discussion. It is tailored to the specific content, themes and inquiries outlined in the schedule, ensuring alignment with the interview’s focus and objectives. It’s vital to ensure that the questions included serve the overall goals of the interview, irrespective of its subject or format.
- Interview Structure
- Topic and Sub-topic Checklist
- Key Inquiries
- Follow-up Queries for further exploration
- Clarification of responses to previous key questions
When crafting the interview schedule, it’s essential to provide sufficient space for the interviewer to document the interviewee’s responses effectively.
3. Closing: As the interview draws to a close, it’s essential to plan for a seamless conclusion that respects the interviewee’s time and contributions. This phase involves summarizing the main topics discussed and outlining the follow-up actions. Sometimes, the interview schedule may be brief, outlining crucial information such as the interview’s purpose, date, time, location, and contact details for both parties involved.
Advantages of an Interview Schedule
An interview schedule enhances the efficiency of interviews by organizing predetermined questions, simplifying the process of conducting and concluding the interview.
1. Increment in collection of accurate data: Thoughtfully constructed inquiries are designed to cover the essential elements of the subject matter, guaranteeing precision in the answers received. This method empowers interviewers and researchers to explore the topic further through subsequent questions or requests for clarification, leading to the acquisition of more pertinent and insightful data.
2. The rate and amount of responses are higher: Interviews frequently have time limits, necessitating interviewers to effectively manage time for asking questions and collecting responses. Being prepared in advance is essential for maximizing this time. Lacking preparation may lead interviewers to waste valuable moments considering their next question, resulting in an interview with minimal substantial information. Interview schedules provide flexibility and can be customized for different interview situations, catering to diverse individuals. For example, a schedule initially designed for interviewing construction workers or labourers can later be adjusted with appropriate modifications to suit interviewing candidates for a senior management position.
Disadvantages of an Interview Schedule
1. Crafting an interview schedule can be a laborious task for interviewers, especially when preparing for thorough or detailed interviews. It requires substantial time investment in researching and devising pertinent questions.
2. Interviews carry a notable risk of subjectivity, largely due to the interviewer’s discretion in choosing which questions to ask during the interaction. This discretion can introduce biases into the process and influence the outcomes.
3. The widespread use of interview schedules by multiple interviewers can result in considerable variability. This variability may compromise the reliability of information gathered during the interviews, posing challenges in maintaining consistency across the interview process.
Process of Preparing Interview Schedule
When developing an interview schedule, the main emphasis lies in creating relevant questions. It’s crucial to decide what to ask and how to phrase questions effectively. Moreover, the order in which questions are arranged carries significance and must be carefully planned in the interview schedule. Consider the following guidelines when preparing the interview guide:
1. Avoid use of Personal Questions in the Beginning: Begin the interview by refraining from delving into personal questions about the interviewee, unless the interview’s scope specifically involves personal matters. In job interviews, concentrate on discussing the interviewee’s skills, qualifications, and professional background to create a conducive environment. In research interviews, start the conversation by exploring the interviewee’s expertise within the pertinent field. Steer clear of inquiries into personal areas like family relationships or similar topics.
2. Start with Lighter Questions: Start the interview by posing simpler questions that are unlikely to put the interviewee on the defensive. Begin with inquiries that the interviewer can easily engage with. As the conversation unfolds, shift gradually towards more intricate or sensitive topics. Introducing a contentious question or something discomforting right at the outset may set a negative tone for the rest of the interview.
3. Logical Sequence: A common strategy is to structure the questions in a logical order. Start with broad topics and then delve into finer details gradually. It’s important to remain flexible, especially when a broad question is followed by a more specific one to offer clarity.
4. Mixture of Open and Close ended Questions: To promote inclusivity and maintain a dynamic flow of conversation, it’s recommended to mix both open-ended and closed questions throughout the interview, rather than delivering all closed questions first and saving the open-ended ones for later.
5. Funnel Sequence of Questions: An alternative suggestion entails employing the funnel or inverted funnel sequence method. In the funnel sequence, questioning starts with broad, open-ended queries before progressing to more specific, closed-ended ones. Conversely, the inverted funnel sequence flips the sequence of questions, starting with the closed-ended ones and then moving to the open-ended ones.
6. More Concentration on Respondents: When preparing your questions, take into account the people you’ll be interacting with. Take the time to understand their backgrounds so you can shape questions that resonate with them. For example, if you’re interviewing applicants for a supervisory engineering position, develop questions that let them showcase their suitability for the role. Likewise, if you’re questioning someone about a recent incident, grasp the reasons behind their scrutiny to formulate relevant and insightful questions.
7. Clear Wording of the Questions: Please ensure that the questions are expressed clearly, without resorting to complex or highly specialized language. Simplify your wording to ensure the interviewee can easily understand. Avoid using informal language or jargon, opting instead for clearer alternatives. Keep your sentences concise and structured, avoiding long, convoluted constructions that could confuse both you and the interviewee. Each question should focus on a single issue to prevent overwhelming the respondent. Avoid packing too many questions into one sentence, making it difficult to follow.
8. Adequate Blank Space in Schedule: Adequate space must be allocated for jotting down answers or responses to every question. Individuals can opt to use a recording device during the interview, especially if there’s a risk of missing specific details in the interview schedule. The provided space can be used to note down the interviewee’s information, ensuring clarity for both parties before starting the interview. It’s essential to obtain consent from the respondent before commencing any recording.
9. Familiarity with Interview Schedule: The interviewer should have a solid understanding of the interview itinerary to maintain a seamless process and prevent disruptions. It’s vital for the interview to maintain a natural and spontaneous atmosphere, even though prior preparation is important. When asking questions, confidence should be conveyed. Once the interview schedule is set, it’s crucial for all parties to be well-acquainted with it.
References and Readings:
Sociology by C.N. Shankar Rao, https://amzn.to/41A3Wh4
Social Research Methods,by Neuman/Tucker, https://amzn.to/41J8Loa
Methods in social research, Goode and Hatt, https://amzn.to/3DnJAyk