Interviews and Focus Groups

Question 1

What is qualitative interviewing?

Answer 1

A flexible, open-ended method used to understand lived experiences from the participant’s point of view.

Question 2

What is the objective of qualitative interviews?

Answer 2

To discover meaning in context rather than reduce experience to numbers.

Question 3

What kind of questions are key in qualitative interviews?

Answer 3

Open-ended questions.

Question 4

Name the three types of interview structures.

Answer 4

Structured, semi-structured, unstructured.

Question 5

What is a structured interview?

Answer 5

An interview using specific, preset questions.

Question 6

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 6

Some preset questions with flexibility for follow-ups.

Question 7

What is an unstructured interview

Answer 7

Conversational and fully flexible, led by participant responses.

Question 8

What are the two metaphors for interviewers?

Answer 8

Miner (digs for specific info), Traveller (explores a wide range of views).

Question 9

What type of sampling is used in qualitative interviews?

Answer 9

Purposive and Snowball sampling.

Question 10

What is purposive sampling?

Answer 10

Deliberately selecting participants for their relevance to the research question.

Question 11

What is snowball sampling?

Answer 11

Participants refer others from their network to take part

Question 12

Give one example of a qualitative interview topic.

Answer 12

Interviewing gay and lesbian soldiers about hyper-masculinity in the Canadian military.

Question 13

Name one strength of in-depth interviews.

Answer 13

Provides rich, detailed understanding of lived experience.

Question 14

Name one weakness of in-depth interviews.

Answer 14

Time-consuming.

Question 15

Name two key ethical concerns in qualitative interviews.

Answer 15

Emotional risk and confidentiality.

Question 16

Can participants remain anonymous in qualitative interviews?

Answer 16

No, but confidentiality must be maintained.

Question 17

What are some rapport-building techniques for interviewers?

Answer 17

Tolerate silence, echo, let them talk, active listening.

Question 18

What are the 7 stages of an interview?

Answer 18

Thematising, Designing, Interviewing, Transcribing, Analysing, Verifying, Reporting

Question 19

What is oral history in research?

Answer 19

Gathering data from individuals’ recollections of the past.

Question 20

What are “probes” in an interview?

Answer 20

Prompts to clarify or expand on answers.

Question 21

What is transcription?

Answer 21

Converting spoken interview data into written text verbatim.

Question 22

What is coding in qualitative research?

Answer 22

Identifying key themes, concepts, and patterns in the data.

Question 23

What is semiotics in qualitative analysis?

Answer 23

Analyzing hidden meanings behind symbols in speech or behaviour.

Question 24

What is a focus group interview?

Answer 24

A small group discussion guided by a moderator to gather group-level data.

Question 25

What is the ideal size of a focus group?

Answer 25

5–10 participants.

Question 26

Name one advantage of focus groups.

Answer 26

Enables exploration of group dynamics and social processes.

Question 27

Name one disadvantage of focus groups.

Answer 27

Requires skilled moderation and can be harder to manage than one-on-one interviews.

Question 28

What are the roles of a focus group moderator?

Answer 28

Prepare logistics, guide discussion, manage dynamics, encourage participation.

Question 29

How is focus group data analyzed?

Answer 29

Transcribed, coded, and analyzed like individual interview data—though more complex due to multiple voices.

Question 30

What is the definition of a focus group?

Answer 30

A qualitative research method involving a group of participants who discuss a specific topic guided by a moderator

Question 31

What is the primary purpose of focus groups?

Answer 31

Effective for exploring attitudes, generating ideas and uncovering unexpected issues

Question 32

How do group dynamics in focus groups benefit the research process?

Answer 32

Encourages participants to build on each other's comments, challenge each other and reflect deeply

Question 33

What is the role of a moderator in a focus group?

Answer 33

Must balance control and flexibility, encouraging discussion while keeping the group focused

Question 34

How is data typically collected and analyzed in focus groups?

Answer 34

Sessions are usually audio or video recorded, then transcribed for thematic analysis

Question 35

Fill in the blank: One case study found that young people's views on smoking were more open in a peer group than in _______.

Answer 35

one-on-one interviews.