Interviewees

Interviewees are individuals who agree to participate in research. Interviewees are also frequently referred to as subjects, participants, informants, [Page 798]and respondents. Interviewees are asked to offer descriptions of lived experiences, knowledge, and/or any information leading to an understanding of meanings informed by their social reality either in formal or informal settings. In formal settings, interviewees contribute to research findings by answering questions posed by the researcher. In informal settings, interviewees may be granted the autonomy to ask and answer their own questions during the research process. The types of interview settings include traditional, informant, focus group, narrative, and ethnographic interviews. This entry discusses interviewee recruitment, types of interview settings, and interviewee–researcher relationships.