Bridging the gap between interviewer and interviewee: developing an interview guide for
individual interviews by means of a focus group
Sammanfattning
Background: In developing an interview guide, pre-existing knowledge about the research topic
is essential. In a recent study, we were interested in exploring the experiences of weight changes
among women treated for breast cancer using individual interviews. However, to develop an
interview guide for the individual interviews that covered relevant thematic and dynamic dimensions,
we found existing literature insufficient. Thus, we turned our attention to the benefit of the focus group
method.
Objectives: This study aims to discuss how a focus group prior to individual interviews may
contribute in developing the thematic dimension and translating the dynamic dimension of an
interview guide into everyday language.
Methods: We conducted one focus group interview of five women treated for breast cancer with
experiences in weight changes. Data were analysed using content and conversation analysis and
discussed with relevant literature on interview guide development.
Ethics: The study is approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency (2008-58-0028) and follows the
ethical guidelines for qualitative research.
Results: Data generation and analysis resulted in themes for the thematic dimension, as well as
three dynamic areas to consider in the individual interviews to bridge the gap between the
interviewer and the interviewee. The dynamic areas are as follows: The use of words, images and
metaphors - a shield and self-protection, Multiple meanings to explore and Staying close to the
everyday language.
Conclusion: The analysis made us more familiar with the content and meaning of weight changes
among breast cancer survivors. Furthermore, it provided images and metaphors, multiple meanings
and a sense of the women's everyday language that calls for an open interview frame to be used in
subsequent individual interviews. Published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.