Course outline

Course content covers:

• the depth interview in social research


• in-depth interviewing skills: active listening, open questioning and probing techniques


• designing and using a topic guide


• interviewer attributes


• managing the interview process
  
  • stages of the interview
  
  
  • working with specific populations, dealing with sensitive or difficult topics and situations
• practical interviewing issues.

Who is it aimed at?

This is an intermediate level course, which requires some prior knowledge or experience of conducting qualitative research.

You will find the course useful if:

• you are relatively new to qualitative research, or just starting to conduct in-depth interviews


• you are an experienced qualitative researcher who would like to the opportunity to refresh or update your interviewing skills


• you commission or manage qualitative research in central or local government, health or other applied sectors.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be:

• able to locate where the in-depth interview sits on the continuum of interview approaches


• able to identify the key features and objectives of in-depth interviews


• familiar with, and able to put into practice, the essential skills of in-depth interviewing: active listening; open questioning and probing


• able to design and use a topic guide


• able to explain the attributes which are required to fulfil the interviewer role


• able to demonstrate awareness of, and competence in, different aspects of managing the interview process


• experienced in conducting in-depth interviews through the practical sessions included in the course.