are different styles of interviewing and opinions and experiences differ as to their relative advantages. Some prefer a very loosely structured format, with only a check- list of topics rather than actual questions; others like to have more structure, with specific questions to be asked of all respondents. How interview is recorded can also differ according to circumstances and preferences, ranging from actual video or audio recording, detailed note taking during interview, or relying on memory and writing up the interview after it is concluded. The introduction of equipment like recorders and so on frequently makes the respondent uneasy and introduces a degree of formality into the conversation.
On the other hand, important information can sometimes go unnoticed or not be recorded at all when other less comprehensive methods of record keeping are being employed. Sometimes the physical or social circumstances in which the interview is being conducted determine the mode of recording. The way in which the interview is later written for publication or as part of a research report can also differ widely. Some researchers prefer to edit the transcript and present a ‘cleaned up’ continuous narrative; others wish to retain the flavour of the original conversation as much as possible and therefore include all the asides and digressions as well.
The interview is often used along with or as a supplement to other methods, specially participant observation and surveys. Long conversations with ‘key informants’ (the main informant in a participant observation study) can often provide a concentrated account that situates and clarifies the accompanying material. Similarly, intensive interviews can add depth and detail to the findings of a survey. However, as a method, the interview is dependent on personalised access and the degree of rapport or mutual trust between the respondent and the researcher.
G LOSSARY Census : A comprehensive survey covering every single member of a population. Genealogy : An extended family tree outlining familial relations across generations. Non-sampling Error : Errors in survey results due to mistakes in the design or application of methods. Population : In the statistical sense, the larger body (of