An in-depth interview is a qualitative research technique involving a one-on-one, personal conversation between a researcher and an individual. Its purpose is to explore a specific topic or issue in great detail, uncovering the interviewee’s thoughts, feelings, experiences, and perspectives.
Unlike structured surveys or questionnaires, in-depth interviews are typically unstructured or semi-structured, allowing the conversation to flow naturally and enabling the interviewer to probe deeper based on responses. This flexibility helps reveal nuances, motivations, and complexities that other methods might miss.
Because of its intimate, conversational nature, the in-depth interview provides rich, detailed insights, making it a powerful tool for understanding underlying attitudes, behaviors, and decision-making processes from the participant’s point of view. It’s widely used in social sciences, market research, and any field where deep understanding of individual perspectives is essential.