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number of questions where developed from the relevant literature. These were prepared in
advance for the interview process. This resulted in the production of an interview guide
(see appendix 1). The interview aimed to capture both information and understanding
relevant to the research topic of inter-partner learning (Hollway & Jefferson, 2000). Using a
semi-structured format allows the interviewer to utilise prepared questions to gather
responses relevant to the research topic while also allowing the interviewer to pursue other
lines of questioning resulting from the participant’s replies (Gorden, 1980). This allows the
interview to be a flexible process between the interviewer and interviewee (Gorden, 1980).
It was predetermined that a majority of the interviews is this research study would
be face-to-face with the participants. This would involve the researcher taking on the role
of the interviewer and the participant the interviewee. Due to the researcher being the only
person involved in the research process, the individual interview method was determined to
be the most practical. Using the face-to-face approach gave the researcher the ability to
interact with the participants while further developing his confidence in interviewing.
However when this was not possible, as was the case for some circumstances, telephone
interviews provided an alternative.
Telephone interviews were used with four of the participants based in one of the
organisations. The main flaw with telephone interviews is that they eliminate the potential
to readily observe verbal and body language cues that would be experienced in a face-to-
face interview. According to Berg (2001), important steps must be taken to conduct an
effective telephone interview; establishing legitimacy, convincing the participant that they
are essential in the research, and making sure the information that is obtained is meaningful.
To satisfy these conditions, the researcher contacted three of the four participants by
telephone before the interview, and also had continuous email contact with all participants’
prior to the interview; as well as providing detailed information on the study and the
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