Interview techniques

###Types of Interviews

Structured interviews: These are formal interviews in which all questions are prepared in advance and are identical for each respondent. They follow a fixed, predetermined sequence.
Semi-structured interviews: These allow more flexibility as there is a list of themes or subjects to be covered, but the interviewer has the freedom to ask follow-up questions based on the respondent’s answers.
Unstructured interviews: These are informal and exploratory in nature. The interviewer has a general area of interest but allows the conversation to flow naturally.

###Effective Interview Techniques

Rapport-building: Establishing mutual trust and understanding prior to the substantive phase of the interview.
Active listening: Capturing and understanding the full message of the speaker, demonstrating interest and allowing time for thoughtful answers.
Using open-ended questions: These questions require more than a yes or no answer and help to gather comprehensive information.
Neutral phrasing: Framing questions in a non-leading manner to avoid biassing the respondent’s answers.
Clarification and Summarization: Ensuring understanding by summarising or paraphrasing the respondent’s answers, and asking for clarification when necessary.

###Challenges in interviewing

Social desirability bias: Interviewees may shape their responses to be socially acceptable or to please the interviewer.
Memory errors: Respondents may forget, exaggerate, or alter events over time.
Interviewer bias: The interviewer’s expectations, biases or mannerisms might influence the respondent’s answers.

###Special Interview techniques in Criminological Psychology

Cognitive Interview: A method used to help people more accurately recall the details of an event. It involves mental reinstatement, changing perspective, changing the order of recall, and reporting every detail.
REID Technique: A method that combines psychological manipulation and high-pressure tactics to encourage suspects to confess.