In the lifecycle of qualitative interviews, which step comes first?

In the lifecycle of qualitative interviews, the initial step is planning. This phase is crucial as it involves defining the objectives of the interviews, selecting the target participants, and deciding on the key topics or questions to explore. Effective planning ensures that the interviews are structured and focused on gathering relevant data to meet the research objectives.

During the planning stage, researchers develop a clear framework that outlines the purpose of the interviews, which helps to guide the subsequent steps. Establishing this foundation is essential for ensuring that the interviews yield meaningful insights and that the researcher is well-prepared to engage with participants.

Following the planning stage, the preparation phase involves refining the interview questions, arranging logistics, and possibly conducting pilot interviews to test the questions. Conducting the interviews comes next, followed by follow-up activities, which may include additional interviews or analyzing the collected data. Without a solid plan in place, the effectiveness and direction of the qualitative interviews would likely be compromised.