Relevance:
Expert interviews are another core method used in FenRIAM in order to collect qualitative information and numerical data.

Description:
Interviews are one of the most largely used methods for collecting in-formation from an entire social group, a representative sample, or a single expert. Interviews can collect both, quantitative and qualitative data. The way interviews are structured (e.g. strict interview schedule, semi-structured, open) and their design (e.g. types of ques¬tions asked and response options) determine the relative degree of the qualitative or quantitative nature of the interview. Open questions lead to a more explorative character of interviews; close questions with predefined response options focus on gathering information about predefined hy-potheses. Often a combination is useful. Interviews can be conducted as face-to-face inter¬views (group or single) or telephone interviews.

Procedure:

• Define the type of requested expertise
• Identify suitable experts and contact information
• Select among them the desired interviewee
• Prepare a guideline for the interview (introduction with information for the interviewee and interview questions)
• Contact the interviewee and make a date
• Conduct the interview and record the responses (notes or voice recorder – the latter to be agreed before!)
• Prepare a written record of the interview