Page 7 - LESSION 14.pmd

Methods of Child Study

5. Prepare an introductory passage for the respondent to explain your purpose

6. Try out the questions before conducting the final interview to ensure that
the wording is valid. Try to use a conversational approach Notes

7. Take some time to make the respondent feel comfortable in your presence.
This is also called rapport-formation

8. Conduct the interview in a cordial manner

9. Thank the respondent and wind up the interview politely
10. Care should be taken to note the answers accurately. It is advisable in such
cases to write out the detailed interview responses as soon as the interview
is finished

The different types of interviews are:

14.3.1 Types of Interview
14.3.1.1 Structured: A structured interview involves the researcher asking the
children a list of predetermined questions with a predefined set of answers about
a carefully-selected topic.

14.3.1.2 Semi-structured: interviews are conducted with a fairly open framework
which allow for focused, conversational, two-way communication. They can
be used both to give and receive information. It contains a set of flexible
questions that can be used as a guide.

14.3.1.3 Unstructured: An informal discussion that has no strict guidelines,
allowing the discussion to be open and not necessarily concise in its nature.

14.3.2 Advantages of Interview

1. Interview is a powerful technique for studying in-depth issues.
2. Questions can be re-worded or repeated in case these are not understood
correctly.

3. The interviewer and interviewee can proceed at their own speed.
4. Doubts can be clarified and further questioning can proceed in case the need
arises.

5. It can be used with illiterate participants quite easily.

14.3.3 Disadvantages of Interview

1. Intensive training is required to conduct interviews.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 85