Lecture note on semi-structured interview for MBA students

 Lecture note on semi-structured interview for MBA students

Highlight 4 main ideas and 3 practice advices based on the 4 main ideas on the research method of semi-structured interview in the context of MBA dissertation projects.

Based on guidance for MBA dissertation projects, here are the 4 main ideas of semi-structured interviews and 3 practice advices derived from them:

4 Main Ideas

Idea	Core Concept
1. Flexible yet structured design	Semi-structured interviews combine a pre-determined set of open-ended questions (interview guide) with the freedom to explore relevant lines of enquiry that stray from the guide when appropriate
2. Interviewee-centred approach	The method gives informants freedom to express views in their own terms, making it "a conversation with a purpose" that is reflexive and effective for understanding context-bound experiences
3. Depth through probing	Researchers can prompt or encourage interviewees for more information, probe to elaborate on responses, and follow new lines of inquiry introduced by what the interviewee says
4. Comparable qualitative data	Despite different participants or interviewers, semi-structured interviews deliver reliable, comparable qualitative data across interviews while allowing deep discussion that delivers new ways of understanding

3 Practice Advices (based on the 4 ideas)

1. Develop and pilot a structured interview guide Create a list of open-ended questions organized in logical sections with an introduction, middle, and end. Well signpost topic changes (e.g., "I'd now like to ask you about…") and pilot the guide to test question functionality, estimate interview duration, and identify needed changes.

2. Master active note-taking throughout Since protocols are open-ended questions requiring careful note-taking, practice note writing before, during, and after interviews. This requires considerable investment in thought but assists in investigating detailed hidden stories (why, how) behind phenomena.

3. Balance following the guide with flexible probing Start by keeping the interview on track and to time, but be sensitive to body language and non-verbal cues and provide prompts when interviewees seem interesting but incomplete. Follow relevant lines of enquiry when they feel appropriate, even if straying from the guide.

These advices directly operationalize the flexibility, interviewee-centredness, probing depth, and comparability that define semi-structured interviews for MBA dissertations.

 

** A collection of lecture notes on the subject of research methods for MBA students, 2026 June

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