Third Week

Structured interviews are a pre-planned set of questions, which, is useful for a qualitative method. The advantage to a structured interview is all clients are asked the same set of questions. In a structured interview the questions are closed ended limiting the interviewer’s ability to get additional information. The time needed for a structured interview can be managed easily as opposed to an unstructured or semi-structured interview. A structured interview is better used for research and test groups, when the answers are needed to within a certain range. Questions are pre planned and usually closed ended to limit individual’s responses to fall within a certain range. With test groups and research groups structured interviews are more effective.

Unstructured interviews are not as a ridged as structured interviews. Unstructured interviews are open more to discussion. A main advantage to unstructured interviews is allowing the interviewer to follow up with additional questions as needed. The questions are set in advance and are used simply as guide during the interview. The disadvantage to unstructured interview is that not all are asked exactly the same questions. During an unstructured interview a client has a better opportunity to express themselves through words. Unstructured interview allow the interviewer to gain the trust of the client. Another advantage of using unstructured interview the questions are not set. Questions that are felt needed or important can be asked to gather the most information needed to assess a client completely. This type of interview is useful when needing to gain an individual’s trust and confidence.

The semi-structured interview consist lots of questions that can be expanded on when needed and or appropriate. The interviewer has more control during the interview yet still have some degree of flexibility if needed. The answers given during the interview can be used to shape the interview to be more appropriate or...