Interviews SD
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This document discusses focus group and key informant interviews as methods for policy research. It outlines four major steps in interviewing: developing an interview guide, recruiting participants, conducting interviews, and preparing a report. Tips are provided for each step, such as defining objectives, using a snowball method for recruitment, and synthesizing findings in the report. Examples of interview questions are also included for different policy topics like library outreach, internet classes, and planning a new library. Focus groups are said to generate discussion and consensus, while key informant interviews are more flexible one-on-one discussions.
![4 Major Steps in Interviewing Developing interview guide Recruiting participants Conducting interviews Preparing report Source: Debra Wilcox Johnson, Keeping Things in Focus: Information for Decision Making, in BALANCING THE BOOKS [BOOK$]: FINANCING AMERICAN PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE (1993)](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/interviews-sd-1200444748847960-2/85/Interviews-SD-3-320.jpg)
![Contact Information Keith Curry Lance Consultant, RSL Research Group Tel. 303 466 1860 - Mobile 720 232 5866 [email_address] or [email_address] http:// www.linkedin.com/in/keithcurrylance http://www.RSLresearch.com](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/interviews-sd-1200444748847960-2/85/Interviews-SD-17-320.jpg)
Interviews SD
- 1. Policy Research 101 Focus Group & Key Informant Interviews Keith Curry Lance Consultant RSL Research Group
- 2. Relationships to Other Methods Plan for other approaches (e.g., survey) Clarify inconclusive findings Evaluate use of other methods
- 3. 4 Major Steps in Interviewing Developing interview guide Recruiting participants Conducting interviews Preparing report Source: Debra Wilcox Johnson, Keeping Things in Focus: Information for Decision Making, in BALANCING THE BOOKS [BOOK$]: FINANCING AMERICAN PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE (1993)
- 4. Developing Interview Guide Defining objectives for interview. (What information is to be gathered?) Set priorities (critical to FOCUSING interview). Contents of interview guide: objectives, questions, probes (to keep discussion moving).
- 5. Recruiting Interviewees Decide whom to interview after determining questions (focus group vs. key informants) Selection not random, snowball method (especially for key informants) Ideal focus group size: 8-12 (not too small/large) Contact in-person or by mail/e-mail/phone Confirm by letter/e-mail Remind by phone/text/IM (w/in 48 hours) NOTE: Often most time-consuming step
- 6. Conducting Interview LEAST time consuming step For focus group interviews: need two people—interviewer, recorder Facilities (comfort, privacy, refreshments) Start with “warm up” question Remember to FOCUS discussion
- 7. Preparing Report Prepared by interviewer (in consultation with recorder, if focus group) Describe recruitment & include interview guide Synthesize key findings, provide specific examples, quotes Offer interpretation (intensity of responses, body language, differences among groups/individuals)
- 8. Common Questions Hire “outside” interviewer(s)? Record interviews? How many individuals/groups to interview? Pay interviewees? Will interviews give answer?
- 9. Objectives To understand how (or why)…. To identify options … To develop consensus about … To prioritize … To learn from experts
- 10. Example #1: Library P.R. What are best ways for library to let you know about services/materials? How could library be involved in meeting your info needs? If not library, why not? When you need info, where/when/how do you look for it? What courses are you taking?
- 11. Example #2: Outreach With what other organizations should the library build partnerships? What other kinds of organizations should library be involved with and how? What makes the library’s presence in those organizations effective? In which organizations does library already have an effective presence? What organizations are out there in the community?
- 12. Example #3: Internet Class On what issues should Internet class focus? How can the library do better job of helping you use Internet effectively? How successful are you at locating the information you seek via the Internet? What kinds of information can you obtain via the Internet? Where do you obtain info you need as new undergrad?
- 13. Example #4: Curriculum Development Resources How can links to specific ___ sites be organized on library’s site to make them readily accessible when needed? Which specific sites are most valuable when planning ___ courses/units? Which specific sites have you visited most often when planning ___ courses/units? What kinds of web sites are useful to you when planning ___ courses/units? What resources are available to plan ___ courses/units?
- 14. Example #5: Planning New Library What collections/services could a new library provide well? How satisfied are you with existing sources of info? How easy/difficult is it to find info you seek? Where else do you look for info you need to do your job well? How well/poorly does the existing library meet these needs? What are unique info needs of this dept?
- 15. Focus Group Interviews Can help to plan or follow up on survey Addresses questions not appropriate to surveys Generates “synergy” Good “group think” Can create new info and consensus Offers option for gaining input from “survey fatigued”
- 16. Key Informant Interviews Easier to schedule & conduct, if done one-to-one Less structured, more freewheeling Less focused questions Less likely to be discrete event (follow-up or in-progress communication likelier) More likely to be follow-up activity to survey or focus group interview
- 17. Contact Information Keith Curry Lance Consultant, RSL Research Group Tel. 303 466 1860 - Mobile 720 232 5866 [email_address] or [email_address] http:// www.linkedin.com/in/keithcurrylance http://www.RSLresearch.com