How to…do research interviews in different ways

Abstract

This article is the next instalment in our 'How to…' series about qualitative research, and focuses on interviews. In many ways, conducting research interviews can be compared with talking to a patient or a student, yet there are specific elements to consider if you want the interview data to be useful for a research study. In this article, we will reflect on what a 'good' research interview is. We will provide an overview of different types of interviews, both much used and more adventurous. Finally, we present a list of dilemmas and frequently asked questions, with tips, tricks and suggestions. This practical and concise article will be helpful when starting a qualitative research project using interviews. Getting access to participants' inner worlds is the real trick to acquiring rich data.