Systematic methodological review : developing a framework for a qualitative semi-structured interview guide

Kallio, H; Pietila, A; Johnson, M; Kangasniemi, M

Abstract

Aim: To produce a framework for the development of a qualitative semi-structured interview
guide.
Background: Rigorous data collection procedures fundamentally influence the results of
studies. The semi-structured interview is a common data collection method, but
methodological research on the development of a semi-structured interview guide is sparse.
Design: Systematic methodological review.
Data Sources: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science for
methodological papers on semi-structured interview guides from October 2004 - September
2014. Having examined 2,703 titles and abstracts and 21 full texts, we finally selected ten
papers.
Review methods: We analysed the data using the qualitative content analysis method.
Results: Our analysis resulted in new synthesized knowledge on the development of a semistructured
interview guide, including five phases: 1) identifying the prerequisites for using
semi-structured interviews; 2) retrieving and using previous knowledge; 3) formulating the preliminary semi-structured interview guide; 4) pilot testing the guide; and 5) presenting the
complete semi-structured interview guide.
Conclusion: Rigorous development of a qualitative semi-structured interview guide
contributes to the objectivity and trustworthiness of studies and makes the results more
plausible. Researchers should consider using this five-step process to develop a semistructured
interview guide and justify the decisions made during it.

Citation

Kallio, H., Pietila, A., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016). Systematic methodological review : developing a framework for a qualitative semi-structured interview guide. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(12), 2954-2965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 9, 2016
• Online Publication Date: May 25, 2016
• Publication Date: May 25, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 16, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: May 28, 2017
• Journal: Journal Of Advanced Nursing
• Print ISSN: 0309-2402
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2648
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 72
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 2954-2965
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jan.13031