Framework
Three types of in-depth interviews
The three types of in-depth interview: structured, semi-structured and unstructured. Each is described by how fixed the questions are and what research it suits. Most product, UX and market researchers choose semi-structured interviews because they stay comparable across participants and still leave room for the unexpected. Use it to choose a format before you draft a discussion guide.
Where this appears
What's in this framework
- Structured: Fixed questions asked in order. Best for comparable data across many participants. Closest to a verbal survey.
- Semi-structured: A guide of core questions and probes, adapted to each answer. The most common format in UX and product research.
- Unstructured: A broad topic and a minimal guide. Used in exploratory and ethnographic work when you don't yet know what to ask.
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<a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/in-depth-interview-types-structured-semi-unstructured"><img src="https://www.koji.so/visuals/in-depth-interview-types-structured-semi-unstructured/in-depth-interview-types-structured-semi-unstructured.png" alt="Framework showing three types of in-depth interviews, structured, semi-structured and unstructured, and when to use each one." width="1200" height="630" /></a>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.koji.so/visuals/in-depth-interview-types-structured-semi-unstructured">Three types of in-depth interviews</a>, Koji</p>
