Final answer:
In-depth interviews feature open questions allowing for comprehensive qualitative data collection. They differ from structured questionnaires with yes-or-no questions, instead capturing detailed personal information. Structured interviews use identical questions to compare responses systematically.
Step-by-step explanation:
In-depth interviews generally do not involve a structured questionnaire filled with numerous yes-or-no questions. Instead, they are more akin to open questions found in qualitative research methodologies. Such interviews allow subjects to respond freely and without the constraints of predetermined choices, fostering a robust collection of qualitative data. This type of data, while subjective and varying from person to person, provides a wealth of information that can reveal personal religious beliefs, political views, goals, or morals.
Surveys and interviews can yield both quantitative data, which is numerical and can be easily tabulated, as well as qualitative data, which is more descriptive and detailed. Quantitative data typically stems from closed questions, allowing for statistical analysis. However, qualitative data, derived from open-ended questions in formats such as structured interviews, is often more difficult to organize due to the richness and variety of responses.
A formal interview maintains a systematic approach by asking all participants the same questions in the same order to ensure consistency across the data collection process. This is true for structured interviews where responses can be rated using a standard system, lending itself to comparisons between participants' responses.