Challenges and mitigation strategies in the use of the semi-structured interview technique

Abstract

Despite the growing popularity of the semi-structured interview technique, there remain challenges that threaten the richness of the data that it is used to collect. As consistently revealed in literature, although efforts have been made to address some of the challenges, they persist. Some of the challenges manifest from various environmental and cultural factors, which make them unique. Hence it is essential to continue work in the area, in enhancing the technique and fortifying data collection. This paper reports on the challenges experienced by a researcher (postgraduate student) during data collection using the semi-structured interview technique. In gathering the experience, the storytelling approach was employed and the interpretivist approach was followed in the analysis. This study helps to gain better understanding about some of the challenges that are encountered, and the implications of practice in the use of the technique. From the analysis, this paper proposes how the challenges can be explicitly addressed in the process of collecting data using semi-structured, especially in an environment where there are language and cultural differences.