ART OF INTERVIEW

Module

Definition of Interview
1. Interview is a method of data collection in face to face situation where the researcher or investigator puts a set of pre-determined questions to the respondents so as to get information pertaining to the research problem . Interview is a face to face interpersonal role situation in which one person, the interviewer asks a person being interviewed, the respondent, question designed to obtain answers pertinent to the research problem. Securing information through professional conversation with an individual for a research study.

Situations of Interview
1. Personal Interview 2. Telephone Interview 3.Group Interview

1. Personal Interview
Steps in Personal Interview 1. Preparation 2.Introduction 3.Rapport building 4.Conducting interview 5.Closing Interview 6. Editing

1. Preparation
At preparation stage, the interviewer 1. Keep copies of schedules 2.Address of the respondents 3.Make grouping of location wise 4.Decide time and cost of movement 5.Decide routine of interviewing 6. Prepare to meet avoidance, reluctance, suspicion, inadequate response of the respondents

2. Introduction
1. Prior permission 2. Meeting head of the organization 3. Leader of the community 4. Give letter of introduction 5. Clarification about self, study and visit

3. Rapport building
. For motivation to respond i. Greet with a smile ii. Identify respondents by name Iii. Tell him why he is selected as sample iv Mention name of your organization and purpose of visit

4. Conducting interview
1. While asking Question
a. Read question as they are B. Read slowly C. Ask every question 2. While recording response a. Avoid distortion b. Do not answer for him c. Show interest d. Ensure adequate answer 3.While conducting interview 1. Establish rapport 2. Start interview 3. Recall 4.Probe questions 5.Give encouragement 6. Make recording 7. Close interview

5. Editing
1. Check and edit all answer 2.Keep a record of your impression

Problems in Interview
1. Inadequate response 2.Interviewers bias 3.Non-response 4.Non-Availability 5.Refusal 6.Inability to respond 7. Inaccessibility

Telephonic Interview
It is a non-personal method of data collection. The telephonic interview is followed under the conditions 1.Universe listed in telephone directory 2.Response within 4-5 questions 3.Short period study 4.Subject related to business and trade

Advantages
1.Low cost as travel cost not involved 2.4-5 interviews can be conducted in short time 3. Quality of response is good 4.Does not involve field work 5. Individual not reached otherwise is contacted by this method

Disadvantages
1.Limited to persons of directory 2.Length of interview is short 3.Limited information obtained 4.Refusal cases are more 5.Environment of respondents is not known 6.Difficult to establish rapport 7, Not possible to ensure identity of the respondent

III. Group Interview

It is a method of collecting primary data in which a number of individuals with a common interest interact with each other. Flow of information is multidimensional. Group may consists of 8-10 persons. Interviewer acts as discussion leader. Information may be collected through selfadministered interview. The method is used to study public opinion on public issues like health, corruption

Advantages
1.The respondents interact freely 2.The method is highly flexible 3.Visual aids can be used. 4. Client can watch the interviewed unobserved 5.Respondents can attribute more in group 6.Physical limitations are eliminated

IV. Panel Method

It is a method of data collection. Data are collected from same sample respondents at intervals by mail or personal interview. The method is used in longitudinal studies on economic conditions, expenditure, consumer behavior, advertisement, voting behavior etc. Study may continue from months to years. Interval may be 10-15 days or one month depending n nature of study.

Characteristics of Panel Method

1.Panel is successive method of data collection on same items from same respondents. 2.Accurate data may be obtained from respondents without any reservation. 3. Number of items to be few so that information can be furnished within few minutes. Methods needs well trained interviewers

Advantages of Panel method

1. Methods facilitated to obtain more accurate data.. 2.Fits to before- after design 3. Good method to study trends in events 4. Provides evidences on cause- effect relationship

V. Simulation
Simulation is one form of observation method. It is a process of conducting experiments on symbolic model representing phenomenon. It is a symbolic abstraction, simplification and substitution for more referent system. Simulation is a theoretical model of the elements, relations and process which symbolize some referent system.

Definition of Simulation
Abelson ( 1968) defines simulation as the exercise of a flexible limitation of process and out-comes for the purpose of classifying or explaining the underlying mechanism involved.

Types of Simulation
1. Man-simulation 2.Computer simulation 3. Man computer simulation

Man simulation
This is a game played by people in a lab. setting to simulate people of real world Size of group may be 2 persons or more, Ex- selling and buying Mock assembly, Govt. office

Computer simulation
This is an operational model programmed to generate a sequence of interaction. This requires storage of large amounts of data on the system to be analyzed Ex- ratio of liquidity Profitability, operational efficiency

3.Man-Computer simulation
Here persons play the role of decision makers while computer is responsive o players, activities. Computer needs a script.

Advantages
1.Applicable t behavioral problems 2.Political problem 3.Economic problem 4.Business problem