ABSTRACT
The goal of the in-depth interview is principally to create a situation in which a relatively free conversation encompasses some specific topics pre-determined by the researcher. The sociological understanding of interaction is important to bear in mind when planning, carrying out and analysing in-depth interviews. Unlike individual in-depth interviews, focus groups can yield individual statements, 'group opinions', and interactive data such as dialogues between participants. For focus groups and focused interviews, the topic that is to be discussed needs to be narrowly defined even before the start of the interviews. The main principle for sampling in qualitative interview studies is that participants are chosen who for one reason or another will be able to make reflected statements concerning the topic in question. Significant ethical issues relate to the fact that details of potential participants can be revealed against their wishes, on the basis of nomination by existing participants.
