Interview Protocols

INTERVIEW PROTOCOL REFINEMENT AND INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
The interview protocol refinement (IPR) framework is a four-phase process to develop and fine-tune interview protocols. IPR’s four-phases include: 1) ensuring questions align with the study’s research questions; 2) organizing an interview protocol to create an inquiry-based conversation; 3) having the protocol reviewed by others; and 4) piloting it. The IPR framework is the most suitable for refining structured or semi-structured interviews (Castillo-Montoya, 2016).

The qualitative research interview is described as attempts to “understand the world from the subjects’ point of view, to unfold the meaning of their experience, to uncover their lived world” (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2015). Determining who is interviewed and what questions are asked is depends on the purpose of the study. Formulating the right questions that inform the research question is a complex skill that is often referred to as a “craft” that is developed through practice (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2015; Rubin & Rubin, 2012). To ensure validity and reliability of data collection via interviewing, it is recommended the following procedures for preparing and conducting interviews is utilized:
• Determine the research questions that will be answered by interviews.
• Identify interviewees who can best answer these questions based on one of the purposeful sampling procedures.
• Distinguish the type of interview by determining what mode is practical and what interactions will net the most useful information to answer research questions.
• Collect data using adequate recording procedures when conducting one-on-one or focus group interviews.
• Design and use an interview protocol or interview guide (5 – 7 open-ended questions).
• Refine the interview questions and the procedures through pilot testing.
• Locate a distraction-free place for conducting interviews.
• Obtain consent from the interviewee to participate in the study.
• As an interviewer, follow good interview procedures.
• Decide transcription logistics ahead of time.

INSTRUCTIONS
Read, “Preparing for Interview Research: The Interview Protocol Refinement Framework” by Castillo-Montoya (2016) and complete the following phases:

1. Phase 1: Ensuring the Interview Questions Align with Research Questions
   a. Create a matrix for mapping interview questions into research questions. Place interview questions in rows and research questions in columns. Mark the cells to indicate when a particular interview question has the potential to elicit information relevant to a particular research question (Neumann, 2008).
2. Phase 2: Constructing an Inquiry-Based Conversation
   a. Create interview questions written differently from the research questions.
   b. Organize questions following social rules of ordinary conversation.
   c. Include a variety of questions (6 – 8 required).
   d. Develop a script with likely follow-up and prompt questions.
3. Phase 3: Receiving Feedback on the Interview Protocol
   a. Use the activity checklist for close reading of interview protocol table (Table 4 in Castillo-Montoya, 2016).
4. Phase 4: Piloting the Interview Protocol will be completed via the 10-Minute Interview
   a. Identify two interviewees who can best answer interview questions. Be sure the following are included in your assignment:
   i. Selected interview type substantiated by relevant literature.
   ii. Transcription of interviewees responses (consider using table format)
   iii. Reflections related to the issue (for each question/response): Based on the questions posed and interviewee responses, what can be interpreted about the issue?
   iv. Reflections related to the interviewing technique (for each question/response): Based on the interviewee responses, what can be interpreted about the selection of your question(s) and how the responses informed the research question?
   v. Summary of how each interviewee “feels” about the issue.
   vi. Summary of what worked and what was difficult (at least 3 each) based on interviewing technique.
   References:
   Castillo-Montoya, M. (2016). Preparing for interview research: The interview protocol
   refinement framework. The Qualitative Report, 21(5), 811-831.
   Brinkmann, S., & Kvale, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research
   interviewing (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
   Neumann, A. (2008). The craft of interview research. Graduate course at Teachers College,
   Columbia University, New York, NY.
   Rubin, H., & Rubin, I. (2012). Qualitative interviewing: The art of hearing data (3rd ed.).
   Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
   Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.