What Are Unstructured Interviews?

Unstructured interviews are so labeled because the interviewer does not enter the interview setting with a planned sequence of questions to be asked of the respondent. The objective of the unstructured interview is to bring some preliminary issues to the surface so the researcher can determine what variables need further in-depth investigation. Such situation calls for unstructured interviews with the people concerned. In order to understand to understand the situation in its totality the researcher will interview employees at several levels. In the initial stages only broad, open-ended questions would be asked and the replies to them would inform the researcher of the perceptions of individuals. The type and nature of the questions asked of the individuals might vary according to the job level and type of work done by them. For instance top and middle level managers might be asked more direct questions about their perceptions of the problem and the situation. Employees at low levels may have to be approached differently.

Clerical and other employees at lower hierarchical level may be asked broad, open-ended questions about their jobs and the work environment during the unstructured interviews. Supervisors may be asked broad questions relating to their department, the employee under their supervision and the organization.