Interview

Begin by considering:

• What information should be collected?
• Who should be interviewed?
• Which topics are most important?

Also determine:

• whether the interviews should be structured, semi-structured, or open-ended
• how the results will be used afterwards

Develop an interview guide with clear and easy-to-understand questions.

Open-ended questions work particularly well, for example:

• "How do you currently experience this situation?"
• "What challenges do you encounter in your daily life?"
• "What changes would you like to see?"

Avoid:

• leading questions such as "Don't you agree that...?"
• simple yes/no questions

Also prepare:

• introductory questions
• possible follow-up questions
• a clear and appropriate way to conclude the interview

Provide:

• a quiet and comfortable location
• a confidential atmosphere
• sufficient time for the conversation

If conducting interviews online:

• test the technology in advance
• be prepared to provide technical support if needed

As part of the Stadtkontakt.mobil project at the "Zur Ortmühle" inn, the community lunch taking place alongside the project was used as an opportunity to engage with local residents. In addition to informal conversations, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of citizens' attitudes, experiences, and needs regarding Smart City initiatives and public participation.

The interviews followed a prepared interview guide consisting of open-ended questions while leaving enough flexibility to explore individual responses and discuss emerging topics in greater depth.
To encourage conversation, participants were first presented with image cards depicting different Smart City-related situations and themes. These visuals made abstract topics more accessible and encouraged participants to share their own experiences and opinions.
Depending on how each conversation developed, the interviewer could adjust the order of the questions or ask additional follow-up questions. This created individual conversations that produced both comparable responses and valuable personal insights.

Semi-structured interviews combine a clear thematic structure with the openness of a personal conversation. On the one hand, they allow information to be collected on predefined topics; on the other, they provide participants with sufficient space to express their own experiences, ideas, concerns, and suggestions.
This makes the method particularly valuable for exploring complex topics that require explanation, as it often generates richer insights than standardised surveys.

The use of image cards made it significantly easier to start conversations and helped participants engage with abstract topics. Many participants used the images as a starting point to describe their own everyday experiences, leading to new discussion topics that had not been anticipated in the original interview guide.
The implementation also demonstrated that while personal interviews generate particularly rich and meaningful data, they require considerably more time than brief surveys. Consequently, the number of interviews that can be conducted depends largely on the time available and the number of visitors present.

Questions should be open-ended and provide sufficient space for individual responses. Image materials should be easy to understand and closely related to everyday life.
Beginning the conversation in an informal way and avoiding technical jargon helps establish trust and encourages participants to engage openly. It is also important to allow sufficient time for follow-up questions and in-depth discussion, as these often generate the most valuable insights.

At the beginning of the interview, explain:

• the purpose of the interview
• the expected duration
• how the information will be used
• whether the interview will be documented or audio-recorded

Ensure that participants have given informed consent before making any audio recordings.

Important:

Participants should know that their responses will be treated confidentially.

The interview should follow the interview guide while remaining natural and conversational.

The interviewer should:

• listen actively
• avoid interrupting
• ask open follow-up questions
• allow space for new topics to emerge

Helpful follow-up questions include:

• "Could you describe that in more detail?"
• "How does this affect your daily life?"
• "Why is this important to you?"

It is perfectly acceptable to move beyond the interview guide when relevant topics arise. Personal stories often provide valuable insights into participants' everyday lives. However, the interviewer should always ensure that the conversation remains connected to the overall topic.

Towards the end of the interview, ask:

• whether the participant would like to add anything else
• which topics they consider most important

Thank the participant for their time and briefly explain the next steps in the process.

Record the key statements and themes as soon as possible after the interview.

Documentation may include:

• interview notes
• transcripts
• written summaries

Analyse:

• recurring themes
• differences between participants' perspectives
• conflicts or unmet needs
• frequently mentioned wishes or concerns

The findings can then:

• inform planning processes
• provide the basis for workshops
• be explored further in other participatory methods

Source: https://mobilitaetsplanung-hessen.de/methodenkoffer-partizipative-planung/