Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Interviews are useful for obtaining the story behind participants experience
- Allows for an in-depth examination of the topic
- Able to capture feelings, attitudes, and beliefs
- Can assist in reconstructing past events that cannot be currently observed
- Allows for on-the-spot clarifications of responses
Much more personal
Greater adaptability and flexibility
Favored "digging tool"

Limitations

Interviewer requires skill and experience to detect any contingencies
- Interviewer can misinterpret the informants language
Interviewer must be aware of his/her verbal and non verbal language
Resource intensive
Can be time consuming
- (Especially if recorded and fully transcribed)
Participants must feel comfortable and trust the interviewer
Self reporting from participants (the individual may misinterpret facts to have a favorable impression on the researcher
Limited generalizability
Smaller sample sizes

Types of Interviews

Strengths and Limitations

Link to More Advantages and Disadvantages

References

Castillo-Montoya, M. (2016). Preparing for interview research: The interview protocol refinement framework. The Qualitative Report, 21(5), 811-831.

Gill, P., Stewart, K., Treasure, E., & Chadwick, B. (2008). Methods of data collection in qualitative research: Interviews and focus groups. British Dental Journal, 204(5), 291-295. doi:10.1038/bdj.2008.192

Leedy, P. D., & Ormord, J. E. (2005). Practical research: Planning and design (8^th ed.). Upper Saddle, NJ. Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.

Taylor, S. J., Bodgan, R., & DeVault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource (4^th ed.). ProQuest Ebook Central. Retrieved from http://0-ebookcentral-proquest-com.aupac.lib.athabascau.ca/lib/athabasca-ebooks/detail.action?docID=4038514

Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (n.d.). Explore four methods for collecting qualitative research. Retrieved from http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/explore-four-methods-for-collecting-qualitative-research

University of Portsmouth. (2010). Advantages and disadvantages of different types of interview structure. Retrieved from http//compass.port.ac.uk/UoP/file/d8a7aedc-be56-461b-85e8-ae38ccf49670/1/Interviews_IMSLRN.zip/page_03.htm

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