Key Informant Interview KII1
MUHAMMAD SAID SHAHMER OFFICER DRC
Agenda2
Objective: Correct misconceptions and tackle challenges of doing KIIs
• When and why to conduct KIIs
• Who makes a useful informant
• How to prepare for an interview
• How to obtain an interview
What Is a Key Informant Interview?What Is a Key Informant Interview?3
A key informant is someone who can “unlock” information for you about an issue or your desired objective
An interview is a conversation with a structure and a purpose
Purpose of a Key Informant Interview4
To get understanding of an issue or your desired objective;
To capture the big picture To get rich detailTo investigate the widthTo test the depthTo determine the ranges & possibilities
What a Key Informant Interview Is NotWhat a Key Informant Interview Is Not5
A key informant interview is NOTA questionnaire An education / info session An opportunity to convince him/her to
support your policy
What a Key Informant Interview Is What a Key Informant Interview Is 6
A key informant interview (KII) IS A less structured in its nature primarily
comprised of open-ended questions where there are no prescribed answers, the interviewer needs to be adjusted to where to ask probing, follow-up questions or pursue new leads in the conversation
Comparative questions7
How were you approached by DRC?Have you any plan to repatriate voluntarily?How were you approached by DRC?a. Shura Representative b. CDU c. Others
Have you any plan to repatriate voluntarily?a. Yes, When ________ b. No, Why ____
When to Conduct Key Informant InterviewsWhen to Conduct Key Informant Interviews8
Early in a campaign and/or near its end
• To explore information
(when you don’t know something)
• To confirm information
(when you want to assess what you did)
What Key Informant Interviews Can DoWhat Key Informant Interviews Can Do9
KIIs can help your project:Get ideas for your strategy
Identify and gain access to key players
Develop relationships with stakeholders and info sources
When to Conduct Key Informant InterviewsWhen to Conduct Key Informant Interviews10
At the beginning of an intervention –
To inform the planning of your project about The various positions on an issue Potential barriers and challenges to
achieving your policy goal Cultural considerations of a target
population How best to approach a particular
stakeholder group
When to Conduct Key Informant InterviewsWhen to Conduct Key Informant Interviews11
After an intervention –
To gather process data to inform future actions
Learn how various stakeholders felt about the program or policymaking process
Reflect on what worked/didn’t work, why a policy was/wasn’t adopted, particularly effective strategies, ways to improve
Misconceptions about Using KIIsMisconceptions about Using KIIs12
Misconceptiono That you need to ask the same questions in
both pre- and post-intervention KIIs
Fact Usually not, since KIIs are most often used to
collect process data about how and why things happened
How to Choose Informants13
Select people who will either:
• Be affected by the proposed policy
• Have the power to make policy decisions
• Possess unique perceptions/points of view OR
• Know a great deal about the issue
Who Makes a Good Informant14
Think about the informant’s role and what you need to know
• Politicians/officials/their staff
• Service providers
• Community leaders
• Business owners
Who to Include in Your Sample15
Seek a variety of viewpoints –
• From constituents, allies, opponents, targets• From people of differing job titles,
characteristics, positions on an issue
• Don’t just talk to likely supporters!
How to Approach a Key Informant16
Introduce
Yourself
Your organization
Your purpose
Convincing intro- why s/he as key informant
How much time you’ll need
Confidentiality and inform consent
Interview Scheduling LogisticsInterview Scheduling Logistics17
Offer several different options for dat & time
State approximately how long the interview will last
The day before the interview, send a reminder –call/visit/email etc.
Thanks18