Systematic methodological review: developing a framework for a qualitative semi-structured interview guide

Abstract

Aim: To produce a framework for the development of a qualitative semi-structured interview guide.

Background: Rigorous data collection procedures fundamentally influence the results of studies. The semi-structured interview is a common data collection method, but methodological research on the development of a semi-structured interview guide is sparse.

Design: Systematic methodological review.

Data sources: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science for methodological papers on semi-structured interview guides from October 2004-September 2014. Having examined 2,703 titles and abstracts and 21 full texts, we finally selected 10 papers.

Review methods: We analysed the data using the qualitative content analysis method.

Results: Our analysis resulted in new synthesized knowledge on the development of a semi-structured interview guide, including five phases: (1) identifying the prerequisites for using semi-structured interviews; (2) retrieving and using previous knowledge; (3) formulating the preliminary semi-structured interview guide; (4) pilot testing the guide; and (5) presenting the complete semi-structured interview guide.

Conclusion: Rigorous development of a qualitative semi-structured interview guide contributes to the objectivity and trustworthiness of studies and makes the results more plausible. Researchers should consider using this five-step process to develop a semi-structured interview guide and justify the decisions made during it.

Keywords: interview guide; methodology; nursing; qualitative research; semi-structured interview; systematic review; thematic interview.