Key points at a glance
- Use open, neutral probes.
- Ask for concrete examples.
- Respect consent and boundaries.
Use probes to deepen, not steer
An interview guide is not a checklist. Follow-ups clarify a participant’s own wording: “What do you mean by …?”, “Can you give an example?” or “What happened next?” Keep the research question in view without drafting their answer for them.
Move from general to specific
Example: After “Supervision was difficult sometimes”, ask “Which situation comes to mind?” rather than “Was the supervisor unreliable?” The first invites an experience; the second suggests a judgment. Silence can give space for a fuller account.
Stay neutral and respect limits
Avoid approval cues that reward one answer and avoid several questions at once. On sensitive topics, participants should be able to skip or stop as specified in consent. Explain recording, confidentiality and use of quotations beforehand.
Reflect on the interview
Afterwards, note where you steered too much or failed to clarify something important. Adjust the guide for later interviews without reinterpreting earlier responses. In analysis, distinguish volunteered statements from answers to specific probes.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Open probes prepared.
- Leading wording removed.
- Consent checked.
- Reflection notes written.
Common mistakes
- Supplying the answer in a follow-up.
- Asking multiple questions together.
- Filling every silence immediately.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
May I depart from my guide?
Yes, if the probe serves the question and your design permits it.
How many probes should I use?
Enough to understand relevant meaning without taking over the conversation.
What about sensitive answers?
Do not pressure participants; respect consent and withdrawal options.