Types of data in interviews. Interviews are used to gather data from a small group of subjects on a broad range of topics. They may be structured or unstructured. Structured interviews are similar to a questionnaire, with the same questions in the same order for each subject and with multiple choice answers.
Types Of Data In Interviews
An information-gathering interview is a purpose-driven conversation that employs a question-and-answer format. You want to get the interviewee’s opinions and feelings about the current state of the system, organizational and personal goals, and informal procedures for interacting with information technologies during the interview.
During the interview, you are establishing a relationship with someone who is most likely unfamiliar to you. You must quickly establish trust and understanding while maintaining control of the interview. You must also sell the system to your interviewee by providing necessary information. Prepare for the interview ahead of time so that it becomes second nature to you. Fortunately, effective interviewing skills can be acquired. As you practice, you will notice that you are getting better.
Information-Gathering Interview
An information-gathering interview is a directed conversation with a particular purpose that uses a question-and-answer format. The interview aims to get the opinions of the interviewee and their feelings about the current state of the system, organizational and personal goals, and informal procedures for interacting with information technologies.
Above all, the interview asks for the opinions of the person being interviewed. Opinions may be more important and more revealing than facts. In addition to points of view, these interviews also try to capture the interviewee’s feelings. Remember that the interviewee might know the organization better than the investigation team. An organization’s traditions can be more fully understood by listening to the respondent’s feelings. Facts obtained from hard data may explain past performance, but goals exhibit the organization’s future. Try to determine the organization’s goals by interviewing as many people as possible.
The interview is also a key time to explore key HCI (human-computer interaction) concerns, including the ergonomic aspects, the system usability, how pleasing and enjoyable the system is, and how useful it is in supporting individual tasks. The interview aims to form a relationship with someone who is probably a stranger. Trust and understanding should be built as quickly as possible, but simultaneously, control of the interview should not be compromised.
There are many different methods of information gathering that people have used to a good advantage, including: questionnaires, surveys, and checklists; personal interviews; documentation reviews; observations; focus groups; and case studies.
Admission-Seeking Interviews
Admission-seeking interviews involve interviewing subjects whose guilt has been reasonably established. Such interviews are the most critical and challenging tasks for investigators and require extensive preparation and a clear thought process before the interview.
These interviews can be an exhaustive task even for the most experienced investigator. These must not be approached as interrogations; otherwise, there is a risk of them being unproductive to an open investigation. Maintaining the right frame of mind is the most important tool for conducting successful admission-seeking interviews.
The guilty party’s signed confession is the strongest evidence. However, this is also the most difficult piece of evidence to obtain. Admission-seeking interviews aim to aid in getting this crucial piece of evidence, and therefore this process must be reserved for subjects whose culpability is fairly certain to prevent undue stress on potentially innocent parties.
Final Thoughts
In general, the interview process progresses from general to specific, and information gathering becomes more conversational and less threatening. Gathering information can help you understand process and procedure. It also opens the door to other explanations that you may not have considered previously.
