One of the ideal approaches to conducting data collection within the context of qualitative analysis is individual interviews. It is stated that “individual interviews allow you to probe their attitudes, beliefs, desires, and experiences to get a deeper understanding of the users” (U.S. General Services Administration, 2021, para. 1). One should note that the typical session usually takes around between half an hour or an hour. The given method is particularly useful for gathering and assessing detailed information on a personalized level from a participant. The description is manifested in the fact that an interviewer or interviewers work with a single person in a given session, which eliminates unnecessary disturbances or distractions, such as social pressure from other participants. In addition, it allows to narrow down the focus on the assessment on a particular individual, which enables a more comprehensive and detailed analysis. Such a measure results in a collection of data that is specific and more precise, whereas group interviews might result in more mixed or blended data due to the participation of multiple people.
Individual interviews are the most effective for obtaining the information if one needs to derive and find key underlying details, factors, influences, and drivers related to the research questions. For example, a study of Latino oral history can only be properly conducted via individual interviews since each member of the group has a wide range of beliefs and viewpoints, which need not be affected by other members of the given group (Rivas-Rodriguez, 2021). It is also an ideal data collection method for sensitive subjects, such as women’s self-disclosure in regard to their body image, which is proven to be more supportive than focus groups (Kruger et al., 2018). Therefore, individual interviews harness trust between two parties, which plays a critical role for a health educator and the community members since sensitive subjects might be involved. The relationship based on trust will boost the given method by creating a more open and supportive environment.
References
Kruger, L. J., Rodgers, R. F., Long, S. J., & Lowy, A. S. (2018). Individual interviews or focus groups? Interview format and women’s self-disclosure. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 1–11. Web.
Rivas-Rodriguez, M. (2021). The multiple individual interview session: An effective method to recover the Latina/o perspective. US Latina & Latino Oral History Journal, 2, 1-8. Web.
U.S. General Services Administration. (2021). Individual interviews. Web.