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Section
D:
Choosing The Method, A Guide to Community Consultation and Research Methods
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In-Depth Interviews
| Summary | These are face-to-face interviews with a skilled
interviewer. They tend to last between 1 - 2 hours, which allows
time for the interviewer to build a rapport with the respondent.
The interviews tend to be semi-structured i.e. the interviewer
has set question areas to cover, but there is scope for probing
an issue in more depth or for following up new issues that the
respondent highlights. In-depth interviews can be taped to ensure
accuracy in recording responses, but this can also be off-putting
to the respondent. |
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| Examples | Housing have used in-depth interviews to examine
attitudes to social housing amongst Asian households and to obtain
information on likely future housing patterns. A community survey in Girlington found that satisfaction amongst Pakistani service users was far lower than for other users. In-depth interviews were used to examine the reasons for this in depth. Top |
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| Useful for | In Depth interviews conducted before quantitative
research can be useful in providing background information, identifying
key issues, the most appropriate language to use etc. After quantitative
research, depth interviews can be used to explore findings in more
depth. Useful when little is known about a subject area or where
the subject matter is sensitive or personal. Good for understanding
attitudes and behaviour. Allows the use of written and visual materials.
Can highlight issues that the researcher has not thought about.
For researching complex issues that cannot be adequately addressed
using a structured questionnaire. |
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| Not useful | Where a large representative sample is needed or
quantifiable data is wanted. If only small numbers are involved
(as is usually the case), depth interviews are not statistically
representative. Fieldwork and analysis of the interviews is time
consuming. |
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| Equal Rights | Hard to reach groups can be targeted. Respondents
do not need to be literate. Asian language respondents will need
Asian language interviewers and appropriate cultural awareness.
It may be difficult to undertake in-depth interviews with those
with severe hearing impairments unless signers can be used. Top |
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| Costs | £100-£200 per interview if commissioned
externally. If carried out in-house the main cost is staff time
(allow at least half a day per interview plus time to transcribe
and analyse the tapes). Top |
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| Time Scale | 1-2 months |
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| Contact | Richard Smith | 01274 433839 |
| Research and Consultation | ||
| Gillian Mayfield | 01274 432035 | |
| Housing | ||
| Top | ||
| Section C | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 | Section E |
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Introduction and Framework Section A Section B Section C Section D Section E |
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