PROGRAMME PLANNING, IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION2(1+1)
Lesson 31 :Techniques of Participatory Rural Appraisal
Semi-Structured Interview (SSI)
Purpose
To gain information from an individual or small group on an issue. Semi-structured interview is an important technique of PRA in which the individuals are asked relevant, informal and open ended questions to make interview more conversational (Fig. 31.2 a&b). No structured schedule or questionnaire is prepared for interviewing. Relevant questions are asked according to a flexible checklist or guide.
(a): Interviewing a Female on Women Needs of a Village
Interviewees are typically of the following types:
Key individuals: who have opinion about the topic under study
Focus groups/Interest groups or other small groups
Homogeneous groups: similar groups for in-depth information on the issues
Mixed group: of young, middle aged, elderly
(b): Interviewing the Village Farmer
It is usually best to conduct such interviews in pairs, one with person doing the interview and other taking detailed notes. The process of semi structured interview involves the interviewer presenting the context of the study and its objectives to the interviewee or interview group (such as family or household). The questions asked through semi structured interview are simple, with a logical sequence to help the discussion flow.
Participants