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 ten
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 semistructured
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 semistructured
interview guide and justify the decisions made during it.

/pdf/systematic-methodological-review-developing-a-framework-for-2zhocihiph.pdf

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

This paper describes the process of the conduct of preliminary tests to determine the construct and content validity of the chosen data collection method for a study into the relationship between Islamic principles and objectives, Islamic financial law and Takaful (Isamic Insurance) operations and practices in Nigeria.Semi-structured interviews were tested on a select group of respondents mirroring the intended subjects in the field.The pilot test showed the construct to be both valid and reliable while giving the opportunity to insert refinements to the research tool.

/pdf/establishing-construct-validity-and-reliability-pilot-2b7wf7igoq.pdf

Establishing Construct Validity and Reliability: Pilot Testing of a Qualitative Interview for Research in Takaful (Islamic Insurance)

The future of energy is complex, with fluctuating renewable resources in increasingly distributed systems. It is suggested that blockchain technology is a timely innovation with potential to facilitate this future. Peer-to-peer (P2P) microgrids can support renewable energy as well as economically empower consumers and prosumers. However, the rapid development of blockchain and prospects for P2P energy networks is coupled with several grey areas in the institutional landscape. The purpose of this paper is to holistically explore potential challenges of blockchain-based P2P microgrids, and propose practical implications for institutional development as well as academia. An analytical framework for P2P microgrids is developed based on literature review as well as expert interviews. The framework incorporates 1) Technological, 2) Economic, 3) Social, 4) Environmental and 5) Institutional dimensions. Directions for future work in practical and academic contexts are identified. It is suggested that bridging the gap from technological to institutional readiness would require the incorporation of all dimensions as well as their inter-relatedness. Gradual institutional change leveraging community-building and regulatory sandbox approaches are proposed as potential pathways in incorporating this multi-dimensionality, reducing cross-sectoral silos, and facilitating interoperability between current and future systems. By offering insight through holistic conceptualization, this paper aims to contribute to expanding research in building the pillars of a more substantiated institutional arch for blockchain in the energy sector.

/pdf/review-of-blockchain-based-distributed-energy-implications-36j1nceh8j.pdf

Review of blockchain-based distributed energy: Implications for institutional development

Lincoln and Guba (1985) first introduced the concept of the human being as research instrument to stress the uniqueness of the researchers' role in the process of scientific inquiry. This uniqueness lies in the notion that only people construct and bring meaning into the world through their qualities of sensitivity, responsiveness and flexibility, making them the most appropriate instrument for inquiries aiming to arrive at understanding, meaning, the promotion of critical awareness, emancipation, and movement toward deconstruction or decolonization. The primary point of interest in qualitative inquiry, specifically, is the understanding of a phenomenon of interest from the perspective of those under study. Nevertheless, the researcher, consciously or unconsciously, brings to the research setting his or her own predispositions, assumptions and beliefs, which may align or diverge from those of his or her study participants. This is especially true if the researcher has a strong affinity with the population under study. The topic of subjectivity or propensity for bias as it pertains to the human instrument has been discussed by the scientific community for several decades (and perhaps longer). Some authors (e.g., Peshkin, 1988; Heron & Reason, 1997) argue that "subjectivity" is, in fact, advantageous and "can be seen as virtuous, for it is the basis of researchers making a distinctive contribution, one that results from the unique configuration of their personal qualities joined to the data they have collected" (Peshkin, 1988, p. 18), which can help the researcher become better equipped to see as others see. Other scholars (Denzin, 1989; Scheurich, 1994; Mehra, 2002) purport that affinity and subjectivity put researchers at a disadvantage by limiting their ability to "accidentally step into" the realm of the phenomenon under study beyond their personal understanding or experiencing of it. Literature on qualitative research methodologies discusses reflexivity as a technique that researchers may use to address and even guard against bias. Various authors suggest keeping reflective journals (Borg, 2001; Janesick, 1999; Ortlipp, 2008; Watt, 2007) or reflective writing within research (Jasper, 2005) as tools allowing researchers to draw a line between their subjectivity and observable phenomenon. However, there are proportionally less studies that explore the actual experiences of novice researchers undergoing what could be considered as a calibration process, or initial attempts at being reflexive in their research practice. As novice researchers ourselves, we feel it is an interesting question, that is, how the human instrument comes to the realization of one's own subjectivity, predisposition and bias, i.e. the initial experiences of reflexivity. Such calibration is only possible in the process and context of acquiring hands-on research experience, where a researcher faces the challenge of keeping his or her own predispositions and assumptions from interfering into their understanding of the phenomenon under study. In attempting to better understanding this subject, we felt (our own assumption) that the most appropriate informants of such a study would be novice researchers who might be more prone to be influenced by their own subjectivity, or at least less aware of it, than seasoned researchers. Furthermore, even though all qualitative researchers (ideally) try to make meaning of their research experience regardless of level of experience and proficiency, novices might be especially acute to their initial experiences due to the steep learning curve that occurs at the beginning of the journey. Therefore, exploring their experiences can potentially provide fresh and valuable insights into the process of self-adjustment that takes place within the human instrument. In light of the above, we posed the following research question to guide our inquiry into the process of calibration among novice researchers: how do novice qualitative researchers perceive themselves as being the research instrument in the process of gaining interviewing experience? …

/pdf/calibrating-the-human-instrument-understanding-the-u0evjbrhz1.pdf

Calibrating the Human Instrument: Understanding the Interviewing Experience of Novice Qualitative Researchers

African Americans experience a disproportionate rate of stress-related health conditions compared to European Americans. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be effective for managing stress and various stress-related health conditions. This study explored the cultural relevance of mindfulness meditation training for African Americans adults. Fifteen African American adults with past or current experience with mindfulness meditation training were interviewed. Participants felt that mindfulness meditation helped them with enhanced stress management, direct health improvement, and enhanced self-awareness and purposefulness. They felt that they would recommend it and that other African Americans would be open to the practice but suggested that its presentation may need to be adapted. They suggested emphasizing the health benefits, connecting it to familiar spiritual ideology and cultural practices, supplementing the reading material with African American writers, increasing communication (education, instructor availability, "buddy system," etc.), and including African Americans as instructors and participants. By implementing minor adaptations that enhance cultural relevance, mindfulness meditation can be a beneficial therapeutic intervention for this population.

The Cultural Relevance of Mindfulness Meditation as a Health Intervention for African Americans: Implications for Reducing Stress-Related Health Disparities.

Qualitative research design can be complicated depending upon the level of experience a researcher may have with a particular type of methodology. As researchers, many aspire to grow and expand their knowledge and experiences with qualitative design in order to better utilize diversified research paradigms for future investigations. One of the more popular areas of interest in qualitative research design is that of the interview protocol. Interviews provide in-depth information pertaining to participants’ experiences and viewpoints of a particular topic. Often times, interviews are coupled with other forms of data collection in order to provide the researcher with a well-rounded collection of information for analyses. This paper explores the effective ways to conduct in-depth, qualitative interviews for novice investigators by employing a step-by-step process for implementation. Key Words: Informal Conversational Interview, General Interview Guide, OpenEnded Interviews

https://www.sjsu.edu/people/fred.prochaska/courses/ScWk242Spring2013/s2/Turner-2010-Qualitative-Interview-Design-A-practical-guide.pdf

Daniel W. Turner

Papers

Qualitative Interview Design: A Practical Guide for Novice Investigators