Disadvantages of structured interviews

Structured interviews also come with limitations. The most notable drawback is the lack of flexibility. Because the questions are predetermined, the interviewer cannot ask probing questions or dig deeper into a respondent's answers. This rigidity can prevent the interviewer from fully understanding the participant's perspective, particularly if a respondent provides a vague or ambiguous answer. Additionally, structured interviews may not capture the nuance or complexity of certain responses. Each person may interpret the same question differently, and the inability to adjust questions for clarification or further exploration can hinder data collection. In contrast, unstructured interviews allow for more dynamic conversations, where the interviewer can tailor questions based on the respondent’s unique answers. The fixed order of questions can also be problematic. Some questions may not resonate with every participant in the same way. For example, a question that makes sense to one respondent may confuse another. In an unstructured format, the interviewer has the freedom to skip or rephrase questions, but structured interviews require the interviewer to stick to the script. Overall, the biggest disadvantage of structured interviews is the risk of limiting the research to the initial set of questions. This makes it critical for researchers to carefully craft their interview questions and ensure they cover all the necessary topics. Conducting pilot tests of the questions is highly recommended to identify any issues or gaps before the actual interviews begin.

Structured interviews vs. surveys

Structured interviews are often compared to surveys with open-ended questions, as both methods involve predetermined questions. However, there are important differences. While surveys can reach a larger number of respondents, structured interviews offer more opportunities for clarification. If a respondent struggles to understand a question during an interview, the interviewer can provide additional context or examples, which is not possible in a survey. Another advantage of structured interviews is the interpersonal interaction between the interviewer and respondent. Face-to-face communication often helps build rapport, making respondents more comfortable and willing to share detailed answers. In contrast, surveys, especially written ones, may feel impersonal and fail to elicit the same depth of response. Interviews also tend to generate richer, more detailed responses compared to surveys. When participants are discussing topics of personal significance, the interview format gives them the space to elaborate on their thoughts, while surveys might constrain their responses.