Semi-structured interviews are when a researcher talks to a person or group of people and asks them questions about a specific topic (Smith, 2019). The researcher has a guide to help them, but it’s not a strict schedule that they have to follow exactly. The person being interviewed can share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and the researcher can ask follow-up questions. These conversations are really useful for learning new things about people and the world. The researcher can even ask unplanned questions if they get curious about something (Smith, 2019). The person being interviewed can also share things that are important to them, which can lead to new discoveries. Sometimes people might not remember everything exactly, but that’s just because we’re human and can’t always remember everything perfectly. (See Patton, 2015 for a discussion of semi-structured interviews as well as other interview methods).
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications. (pp. 437-456.)
Smith, B. (2019). In D. Hackfort, R. J. Schinke, & B. Strauss (Eds.), Dictionary of sport psychology: Sport, exercise, and performing arts. Academic Press.
