I just finished my first module 3 tutorial with my supervisor. Things are starting to feel very real and time is starting to pass quicker than I could have imagined!
Firstly we discussed that I want to change my data collection method slightly to face-to-face interviews, due to the change of my circumstances to me now living onboard a cruise ship and the lack of stable internet which comes with it! I don’t think it would be wise for me to schedule interviews on zoom and then have a faulty connection and waste my participants time. Also now I have colleagues onboard with me that fit my research criteria, therefore I now wish to interview them. I will have to write about these changes in my final write up.
I also asked about the literature review and it was said that it should be in more depth than the module 2 literature review by going in deeper with a few select texts that are relevant to our research. It was also stated that we might end up doing further research into different areas after completing our interviews as other things may come up that we feel like we need to look into deeper.
In the next 3-4 weeks we should all be focussing on collecting all our data and be finished with this stage of our inquiry before the mid term break!
I also sent across my question sample to be approved by my supervisor so I can start my data collection!!
Creating my interview question sample blog
When writing up my questions I was really aware not to ask questions that have a yes or no answer and if this was necessary I wrote a follow up question straight after so the participants can elaborate on their answers.
I also was extremely aware not to ask leading questions or to show any kind of bias or opinion to influence my participants. I don’t want to lead them down a certain path so I can get the most out of the analysis and can be surprised by their answers. I have my own experiences and opinions that I do not want to cast a shadow onto theirs.
I am wondering how many questions I need to write? How long will It take to get through these questions?
I certainly feel like I need to do a mock interview with a friend beforehand to get my nerves out the way. To see how much material I have for the time I have allowed. And to see if I feel like I will receive the relevant information needed.
How are everyones question samples coming along?
Hi Emily, thank you for this. I think I'll be asking pretty much the same to Helen tomorrow so hopefully she can also give me the same clarity as you have now.
ReplyDeleteI'm slightly worried with my Interviews that I have made the questions a bit too obvious in the answers I want to get. And being that they are all friends and close colleagues to myself I don't want them to "censor" their answers.
Well let's see when we go through the process and maybe I would need to alter some questions. X
Oooo that's an interesting point about them censoring their answers I didn't consider that!!! That's a very good point!!!
DeleteGreat blog Emily. I feel like I haven't written enough questions for my interviews and they'll only last 5 minutes but am hoping that the participants will add to what I ask them with the help of the odd probe. I like your point about being aware not to ask leading questions or show bias. It can be hard for us to keep neutral when we perhaps have certain views on the topic we're interviewing about. Its definitely something I have to keep in mind. My first interview is tomorrow and I think with each one we do we'll learn and improve for the next! Good luck with your interviews!
ReplyDeleteI actually thought the same and then I sent my questions to Helen and she's deleted a few which she didn't think were relevant so now maybe I have a better amount! But there is the worry that I won't have enough but I guess we will learn and adapt once we do our first interview!!! Good luck for your first interview!!
DeleteHi Emily, really great blog! I couldn't imagine doing this inquiry whilst on board, I take my hat off to you. But you sound super prepared! I can imagine it will be quite nice to be able to interview your cast though because you have already build a good rapport with them, and it will be easier to chase them up. Hope the questions are going well! I have got about 5 main questions, as well as a couple of ice breakers and 'round it up' questions. My questions very open and will hopefully lead to other questions, but have a couple more cheeky ones incase we run out of things to talk about haha! Hope it all goes well for you :)
ReplyDeleteOh I feel prepared some days and totally over whelmed on others!! Tomorrow is a dedicated uni day haha!
DeleteThat sounds great Alice! I have a few Ice breakers at the beginning! I did say to Helen that I feel less pressure knowing that I don't have to rely on Internet for my interviews now! Good luck with your interviews!!!
Thank you for a great blog with an interesting insight on writing interview questions. Initially I thought I was set on my questions, there were plenty of follow up questions to expand on my initial question but now I feel like some of my questions may be leading and I'm going back to the drawing board! Thank you again for bringing this to light! xx
ReplyDeleteGlad my blog was helpful! I was so worried to not come across as leading or if my follow questions were too!! It's hard I feel like I keep trying to agree or add things to the conversation instead of just listening! I find it hard especially that my participants are friends too!
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