Ravalier PhD Theis.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

152
of questions, and completely unstructured interviews resemble more conversational data, and as such should be
analysed as such. Researchers engage in projects involving the interpretation of semi-structured data for a variety
of reasons including exploration, description, comparison, and theory testing and building amongst other reasons
(Bazeley, 2007). Semi-structured interviews are conducted with a fairly open framework which allow for focussed,
two-way communications which are based broadly around particular interview schedules, with not all questions
designed and phrased ahead of time. In this manner interesting themes and concepts which arise whilst
conversing can be investigated with more thorough questioning, allowing both the interviewer and interviewee the
flexibility to probe for details or discuss specific issues (Banister et al., 2006).
Semi-structured interviewing is primarily a qualitative approach to data collection, where this data collection
technique is seen as one of the best ways to collect data for interpretative analysis (Smith, 2007). The aim of
semi-structured interviews may be to explore precisely where it is believed there are gaps in the research allowing
a researcher to tailor an approach better than with more structured means (i.e. by modifying questions in light of
answers given; Banister et al., 2006). In addition to this an interview has a set of questions on an interview
schedule, but the interview schedule is guided by this structure as opposed to dictated by it (as in the case of
structured interviews, Smith, 2007). Importantly the use of semi-structured interviews facilitates the building of
rapport with the participant, thus helping to get over problems such as respondents being motivated to lie and give
false information etc (Smith, 2007). This interview methodology can also allow the exploration of complex issues
that may be too complex to investigate through quantitative means given that quantitative methods attempt to
simplify phenomena, meaning it can misrepresent the nature of the questions under investigation (Banister et al.,
2006). Furthermore, interviews can be used at any stage of the research process, e.g. as part of piloting and