In‐depth interviewing by telephone: Some practical considerations

An interview is usually conceived as a face‐to‐face situation in which participants have access to a range of each other's communication skills, verbal and non‐verbal. Where this is not possible, the telephone may be seriously considered as a research tool. Whereas the telephone has now been extensively used for market research, there are few reports of its use in more detailed interviews. This paper considers the use of the telephone for in‐depth interviewing as a viable alternative to face‐to‐face encounters. Similarities and essential differences from face‐to‐face interviews are considered, with implications for the practical organisation and management of interviews by telephone. It is suggested that the telephone can contribute to the extension of opportunities to groups under‐represented in research.