This involves the use of question and answer with the interviewer coming into direct contact with the respondent(s). The following are the advantages of the interviewing as a method in field work.

• First hand information can be obtained
• Faster to get or collect data
• Easy to obtain information which is not revealed by other methods e.g. historical background, income etc.
• Bring about cordial relationship between the researcher and interviewer.
• Easy to assess information on spot.

 

Disadvantages:

• Limited by language barrier
• Some information can be hidden or unreliable information can be given
• Hostility by the person being interviewed caused by wrong approach
• Laborious and time consuming because you have to interview a number of people
• Limited by traditional and cultural barriers to release information e.g. how many children one has etc.
• Limited by noise
• Limited by high speed.