Interview [1]

An interview is a conversation between two or more people, the interviewer and the respondent(s), in which questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the respondent(s). Interviews can be divided into two categories: interviews of assessment and interviews for information.

In the case of data collection, an interview is administered for the collection of information. The interviewer usually asks questions as they are outlined on a questionnaire or survey instrument. Such interviews might take place in person or on the telephone.

A focus group is a specific type of interview during which several respondents respond to the interviewer's questions as a group.

1. This definition modified from the Wikipedia definition of an interview (accessed 28 December 2006) [disclaimer].