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Introduction |  Step 1 |  Step 2 |  Step 3 |  Step 4 |  Step 5 |  Step 6 |  Step 7 |  Step 8 |  Step 9 |  Step 10

Step 6: Follow the interview protocol, using a level of standardization appropriate to the interview structure; maintain control of the substance and pacing of the interview.

Interview protocols range from those consisting of a highly ordered sequence of informational questions (where the interviewer will follow the protocol closely as written) to those consisting of a few questions about broad topics (where the interviewer will generate further questions depending on the participant's responses). The degree of structure in the interview protocol depends on the purpose of the interview (see Preparing an Interview Protocol). Clearly, interviews that are less structured (i.e., those with a smaller percentage of predetermined questions) are going to be less standardized than interviews with more structure.

Whatever the level of structure, it is desirable to strive for as much consistency across interviews and interviewers as possible. The more this consistency is built into the written version of the interview protocol, the easier it is for each interviewer to act accordingly. This consistency promotes the general goal of controlling as many sources of variability in data collection situations as possible. Thus, having all interviewers follow the interviewer script and wording of predetermined protocol questions is advisable. Also, having some general probe questions planned ahead of time is helpful. These techniques are reviewed in Preparing an Interview Protocol.

Planning ahead for the timing of an interview is another aspect of assuring as much standardization as possible. Given an interview of reasonable length (see Preparing an Interview Protocol), it is important to set the expectation that all interview questions will be covered and to establish guidelines for pacing, such as how many questions need to be completed by the midpoint of the administration. For example, if you need to administer an interview with 22 predetermined questions in one hour, consider the relative length of answers the different questions are likely to elicit. If there are more questions at the beginning of the interview that ask for straightforward information, then a goal like completing the first 14 questions in 30 minutes would make sense. Adequate pilot-testing of the interview should clarify or confirm the most workable pacing for a given interview (see Step 7 of Preparing an Interview Protocol).