Structured methods: Interviews, questionnaires and observation

Interviews or self-completion questionnaires? 182 Types of interview 183 Face-to-face interviews 183 Telephone interviews 183 Self-completed questionnaires 184 Designing studies using structured interviews and questionnaires 185 Determining the information to be sought 185 Deciding how to administer the questionnaire or interview 186 Postal surveys 186 Internet-based methods 188 Constructing an interview schedule or questionnaire 192 Keep it short 192 Introduction or welcome message 192 Elements of an effective cover letter 193 Deciding the order of questions 193 Include all potential answer choices 193