Which statement describes a semi-structured interview?

Which statement describes a semi-structured interview?

• A. A list of questions with freedom to ask follow-ups.
• B. Fixed questions with no deviation.
• C. Quantitative survey.
• D. Unstructured with no plan.

Answer: (A)

A semi-structured interview uses a guide of key questions to cover important topics, but the interviewer can adapt and probe based on what the participant says. This flexibility—having a prepared list while still asking follow-up questions as needed—defines the semi-structured format. It sits between a rigid, fixed-question approach and a completely open, unplanned conversation, balancing consistency with depth. The idea of a list of questions with freedom to ask follow-ups captures that balance best. By contrast, fixed questions with no deviation describe a fully structured interview, a quantitative survey focuses on numeric data rather than in-depth discussion, and an unstructured interview has no guiding plan at all.

A semi-structured interview uses a guide of key questions to cover important topics, but the interviewer can adapt and probe based on what the participant says. This flexibility—having a prepared list while still asking follow-up questions as needed—defines the semi-structured format. It sits between a rigid, fixed-question approach and a completely open, unplanned conversation, balancing consistency with depth. The idea of a list of questions with freedom to ask follow-ups captures that balance best. By contrast, fixed questions with no deviation describe a fully structured interview, a quantitative survey focuses on numeric data rather than in-depth discussion, and an unstructured interview has no guiding plan at all.