How to Conduct Expert Interviews: Dos and don’ts

Expert interviews are a qualitative research method mainly used in social sciences. They help us to obtain first-hand data and information from experts or practical insiders within a specific field, which eventually helps to shorten time-consuming data gathering processes. Usually, expert interviews are guided or pre-structured (depending on the interview type). In order to successfully conduct expert interview, there are some important points to keep in mind. 

The following Dos and Don’ts provide practical advice on how to confidently master the three stages of the interview process:

Pre-Interview 

Do

… design interview guidelines (the extent depends on whether it is a structured, semi-structured or open interview).

…  prepare! Try to prepare yourself for the interview situation content-wise and technically to react to possible problems in online interviews.

Don’t 

… just dive in unprepared! Try to conduct several test runs. Learning from these runs helps you to improve questions and interview techniques and can have a significant impact on the quality of your study. 

During the Interview

Do

… record the interview! This is absolutely necessary in order to not only remember but also document all that has been said during the interview. You cannot remember all the things by heart (don’t forget to ask for consent, ideally documented via an informed consent form, when recording e.g. on Zoom).

… take additional notes in order to identify the main arguments and draw your own conclusions!

… dress properly (this also applies for online meetings)! The way you dress reflects your professionality.

… follow your pre-established structure if possible!

… be prepared to answer tough questions!

… skip ahead to future questions in the guide if the response matches these questions!

… know your role as a researcher! Ask neutral questions that avoid expressing an opinion or a desired response, use a neutral, reflective listening type approach to acknowledge emotions participants might express. 

Don’t

… stick too rigidly to the sequence of the interview questions if it does not seem natural!

… overdo! Take a break or move forward to the next question if the participant is showing psychological distress. Try to stick to a 45-60 minutes time limit.

… be afraid to ask for clarification or demand more elaborate answers! After all, you want to get as much information as possible, this is your research project.

Reflection and Post-editing 

Do 

… take your time for reflection and post-editing! 

… construct your hypothesis and choose the right methodology to collect and analyse your data (e.g. Grounded theory) 

Don’t 

… go too long without reviewing your data! This way you will also remember thoughts you didn’t get the chance to write down during the interview.