Pilot Interviews: A Qualitative Analysis

In this chapter, the qualitative interview data is analyzed to reveal findings to show gaps in research.

Qualitative method is using open-ended questioning, non-statistical research techniques, or value-based observations. In this research, three main methodologies are adopted as focus group, distributing questionnaires and conducting personal interviews simultaneously. Methods are all appropriate and contributed to a comprehensive research. The reason is that aim of this research is to acquire an in-depth understanding of

One limitation of using a qualitative design, is the limited number of participants upon which the results are based. Without a large sample size, it is difficult to conclude that the results will be generalized to a larger population size. Another limitation of this study is that the research results will be based on self-reports which limits the reliance on the data. Participants may not truthfully report their behaviors and feelings. Participants may answer the interview questions with socially acceptable answers. Participants may be inclined to change their

These two guides covered many topics that related back to the research questions. The authors listed examples from the interview guides that do support the qualitative nature of this study. The examples were all open-ended questions meant to develop dialogue between the investigator and the interviewee.

This study did not all unfold in the field. For continuation of the interviews they were asked questions through face to face or telephone calls depending on the participant’s convenience. This method still allowed the researcher to capitalize on any new or early understanding. It gives the researcher flexibility in asking questions to continue on the path that the participants take them in. The research does not show any evidence of reflexivity. The contact number was adequate to understand the phenomena.

The pilot study conducted in this research shows that there were a few problems within the overall design of the interview and therefore the researchers decided to make some minor changes to their design, these changes included altering the questions so they were open ended, they also made the interview less structured in able to gain more focused answers in which they could analyse.

After the participants were chosen, then interviews were conducted using format open-ended questions. "… A qualitative interview approach was thought to be the best means of exploring expectations people had for the role" (Connelly et al., 2003, p. 299). Open-ended questions allow the participants to raise important issues that may not be addressed if there is a fixed sequence of questions. This is appropriate for a qualitative study.

With this part of the objective, the facilitator will talk about various questions to ask in an interview. The presenter will talk about basic interview questions and behavioral interview questions. This sections is meant to inform and teach the participants to prepare for proper interview questions.

Thirteen interviews were conducted face-to-face, two via teleconference and one via email. Interview participants were selected based on their role in past events, as identified from the desk research. A number of informal conversations were also held with various individuals.

Tijuana’s, shared understandings of and interactions with the course waitlist are of extreme relevance to my qualitative research (Hoodnaard, 2015). While conducting this interview, I forgot to take into account the gestural (non-verbal) forms of communication Tijuana was exhibiting as a social behaviour. I was, however, open to the unexpected since I was conducting a qualitative research assignment that follows an inductive approach. This means that I gathered up all of my data first – such interviewing Tijuana - before formulating a theory (Hoodnaard, 2015). It was recommended by Professor Bisaillon and author Hoodnaard (2015) that I “design an interview guide” (109), as a useful tool for me to rely on during my interview. I did not get the opportunity to create one, and although my unstructured interview was more flexible, with Tijuana determining the direction of the interview – allowing for me to Tijuana’s topic of interest – I still experienced a few common pitfalls. For example, I did not completely avoid starting my questions with why and often asked double-barrelled question unintentionally. This error could have been avoided if I had written a comprehensive list of questions beforehand, but since I did not, I soon ran out of questions to as Tijuana and

After which, a general inductive approach for analysis of the qualitative data including condensation of raw textual data using thematic coding was used to establish links between the evaluation and the research topic (Thomas, 2006). “The general inductive approach provides an easily used and systematic set of procedures for analyzing qualitative data that can produce reliable and valid findings” (Thomas, 2006, p. 237). “The outcome of an inductive analysis…[was developed into]…categories…[and] into a model or framework that summarizes the raw data and conveys key themes and processes” (Thomas, 2006, p. 240). The themes were then applied to the interview data provided by the study

The text asserts that there are many types of interviews. Indeed, there is a range associated with interviewing that is related to how much control the informant/researcher has. DeWalt and Dewalt contend that it is important for the researcher to study the community and analyze the interview questions beforehand to ensure success. The authors state that typically more participant observation and informal interviewing leads to more interpretable results.

The proposed methodology is a primary qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews. This method has been chosen as the focus of this

There are eight key interview questions (Appendix D) and several sub-questions to be covered, which was guided by four research objectives:

Qualitative interviewing can be semi-structured and unstructured. However both forms of interviews have three certain features in common. Firstly, qualitative interviewing is an exchange of dialogue between the interviewee and the interviewer (Edwards & Holland, 2013). Secondly, the researcher will have specific topics and issues that they wish to cover in the interview, however, how this information is collected is flexible (Edwards & Holland, 2013). Lastly, “a perspective regarding knowledge as situated and contextual, requiring the researcher to ensure that relevant contexts are brought into focus so that