Interview

Interview is a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common parlance, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. The interviewer asks questions to which the interviewee responds, usually providing information. That information may be used or provided to other audiences immediately or stored for later use. Interviews are a standard part of qualitative research and are used in a wide range of fields.

Types of Interviews

There are several types of interviews including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews.

Structured Interview

In a structured interview, the interviewer follows a rigid script with pre-determined questions. This type of interview is used when the interviewer has specific information they wish to gather.

Semi-structured Interview

A semi-structured interview is a meeting in which the interviewer does not strictly follow a formalized list of questions. Instead, they will ask more open-ended questions, allowing for a discussion with the interviewee rather than a straightforward question-answer format.

Unstructured Interview

An unstructured interview is an interview in which the question-answer sequence is spontaneous, open-ended, and flexible.

Uses of Interviews

Interviews are used in various fields and for various purposes, including job interviews, research interviews, clinical interviews, and media interviews.

Job Interview

A job interview is a type of interview that employers use to evaluate a job applicant for prospective employment.

Research Interview

A research interview is used to explore the views, experiences, beliefs, and/or motivations of individuals on specific matters.

Clinical Interview

A clinical interview is a method that psychologists use to understand their patients better. It involves the psychologist asking the patient questions about their life, past experiences, and mental condition.

Media Interview

A media interview is a type of interview, where the interviewee is questioned by a reporter or other media representative for broadcast over various media outlets.

See Also

• Interview Skills
• Interview Techniques
• Interview Questions

Interview Resources
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