What is characteristic of an unstructured interview?

An unstructured interview is characterized by its informal and flexible nature, allowing for a conversational flow between the interviewer and interviewee. Since it does not adhere to a strict script, the interviewer can adapt questions based on the responses given, encouraging deeper exploration of topics that may arise organically.

This flexibility typically results in requiring less preparation than structured interviews, where specific questions must be formulated ahead of time. In an unstructured interview, preparation may focus more on general themes or topics to cover, rather than detailed question-by-question planning. This approach can lead to more insightful and nuanced responses, as participants feel more comfortable discussing their thoughts and experiences without the constraints of a formal layout.

In contrast, a structured interview would involve strict adherence to a script, ordered and formal question sequences, and limited responses. Thus, the characteristics of an unstructured interview make it a valuable method for gathering rich qualitative data.