CMUN 246 Data Collection Methods
Sample Interview Guide Based on the Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, 1954)
Sample Interview Schedule
Jim L. Query, Jr., Ph.D.
An effective interview schedule should:
ID the overall goal of the project, often in the form of a RQ;
Provide a preview;
Provide instructions at the outset and possibly at the beginning of each section;
Should allow for pauses, small talk, opportunities to help build rapport;
Should provide the participant an opportunity to provide additional info that s/he feels is important, but was not directly asked about;
Conclude with a thank you.
Research Question: What communication behaviors offer social support and assist in the coping processes of Alzheimer's caregivers?
Preview: Thank you for agreeing to assist us in understanding the process of caregiving for Alzheimer's patients. The purpose of this research is to understand how support from others affects your ability to cope with daily caregiving. Please know that the information you offer will be confidential. You may refuse to respond to any questions, or withdraw from the study at any time, especially if this becomes too difficult for you. Your insight is important, and we appreciate your willingness to help others who are or may become caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Our conversations will take about an hour, and we would like to tape record our discussion---is that ok?
THE FIRST PART OF THE INTERVIEW CONSISTS OF 7 BRIEF QUESTIONS. THE SECOND PART CONSISTS OF 4 BROAD QUESTIONS. THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS.
PRELIMINARY BASELINE QUESTIONS (demographics)
THESE 7 QUESTIONS ARE CLOSE-ENDED REQUIRING BRIEF ANSWERS.
1. Could you please tell me your age?
2. What is the age of your loved one who has Alzheimer's?
3. Do you regularly attend a support group meeting? If so, about how many times have you attended during the past 6 months? I
If you do not regularly attend, have you attended a support group meeting during the past year?
4. About how many hours a week do you provide care?
5. About when did you first observe the symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia in your loved one?
6. The symptoms currently displayed by your loved one are:
Very Mild
Mild
Somewhat Difficult
Severe
Very Severe
7. Do you use adult day care services? If so, how often?
The Bulk of the Interview
We are interested in understanding how people can be more supportive of those who care for ALzheimer's patients. This second part of the interview consists of 4 broad questions.
1. Please think of a time you received Positive support (or were satisfied with the support you received) from someone. (PAUSE)
How would you describe what happened?
--How did you feel before the exchange?
--Who did what (probe for a relationship type)?
--Who said what (probe for a relationship type)?
--How was the exchange helpful?
--How did you feel after the exchange?
2. Can you describe other interactions when people were supportive?
--What did they say?
--What did they do?
--How was it helpful?
3. Think of a time you did not receive support (or were dissatisfied with the help you received) from someone. (PAUSE)
--How would you describe what happened?
--How did you feel before the exchange?
--Who did what (probe for a relationship type)?
--Who said what (probe for a relationship type)?
--How was the exchange dissatisfying?
--What did you want to happen differently?
--How did you feel after the exchange?
4. Can you think of other interactions when people were not supportive?
--How would you describe what happened?
--What did they say?
--How was it unsupportive?
--What did you want to happen differently?
Closing: Thank you for sharing your time and experience with us. We appreciate your willingness to help others who are or may become caregivers. If you have any questions, or would like further information, please call Dr. Jim Query---here's one of his business cards. Thanks again for your help!
Citation
Flanagan, J. C. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327-357.
Jim L. Query, Jr., Ph.D.
An effective interview schedule should:
ID the overall goal of the project, often in the form of a RQ;
Provide a preview;
Provide instructions at the outset and possibly at the beginning of each section;
Should allow for pauses, small talk, opportunities to help build rapport;
Should provide the participant an opportunity to provide additional info that s/he feels is important, but was not directly asked about;
Conclude with a thank you.
Research Question: What communication behaviors offer social support and assist in the coping processes of Alzheimer's caregivers?
Preview: Thank you for agreeing to assist us in understanding the process of caregiving for Alzheimer's patients. The purpose of this research is to understand how support from others affects your ability to cope with daily caregiving. Please know that the information you offer will be confidential. You may refuse to respond to any questions, or withdraw from the study at any time, especially if this becomes too difficult for you. Your insight is important, and we appreciate your willingness to help others who are or may become caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Our conversations will take about an hour, and we would like to tape record our discussion---is that ok?
THE FIRST PART OF THE INTERVIEW CONSISTS OF 7 BRIEF QUESTIONS. THE SECOND PART CONSISTS OF 4 BROAD QUESTIONS. THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS.
PRELIMINARY BASELINE QUESTIONS (demographics)
THESE 7 QUESTIONS ARE CLOSE-ENDED REQUIRING BRIEF ANSWERS.
1. Could you please tell me your age?
2. What is the age of your loved one who has Alzheimer's?
3. Do you regularly attend a support group meeting? If so, about how many times have you attended during the past 6 months? I
If you do not regularly attend, have you attended a support group meeting during the past year?
4. About how many hours a week do you provide care?
5. About when did you first observe the symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia in your loved one?
6. The symptoms currently displayed by your loved one are:
Very Mild
Mild
Somewhat Difficult
Severe
Very Severe
7. Do you use adult day care services? If so, how often?
The Bulk of the Interview
We are interested in understanding how people can be more supportive of those who care for ALzheimer's patients. This second part of the interview consists of 4 broad questions.
1. Please think of a time you received Positive support (or were satisfied with the support you received) from someone. (PAUSE)
How would you describe what happened?
--How did you feel before the exchange?
--Who did what (probe for a relationship type)?
--Who said what (probe for a relationship type)?
--How was the exchange helpful?
--How did you feel after the exchange?
2. Can you describe other interactions when people were supportive?
--What did they say?
--What did they do?
--How was it helpful?
3. Think of a time you did not receive support (or were dissatisfied with the help you received) from someone. (PAUSE)
--How would you describe what happened?
--How did you feel before the exchange?
--Who did what (probe for a relationship type)?
--Who said what (probe for a relationship type)?
--How was the exchange dissatisfying?
--What did you want to happen differently?
--How did you feel after the exchange?
4. Can you think of other interactions when people were not supportive?
--How would you describe what happened?
--What did they say?
--How was it unsupportive?
--What did you want to happen differently?
Closing: Thank you for sharing your time and experience with us. We appreciate your willingness to help others who are or may become caregivers. If you have any questions, or would like further information, please call Dr. Jim Query---here's one of his business cards. Thanks again for your help!
Citation
Flanagan, J. C. (1954). The critical incident technique. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327-357.
