S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

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structured interview format was appropriate for exploration of attitudes, beliefs, values, experience and motives (Barriball & While, 1994), and to explore in substantial depth complex and sensitive issues (Parahoo, 2006). 5.7.2 Interview questions Prior to commencing interviews the researcher planned a format by designing and testing a number of sample questions. Accordingly the researcher wrote down the topics and possible related questions. The researcher then considered sub-questions which conceivably he might want to ask in response to possible interviewee’s responses. The researcher then grouped related sub-related questions to the primary question and then considered various means of arrangement. The purpose here was to organise questions so that they had a logical flow and were clustered without ambiguity around the various topics (Braun et al., 2013). Once satisfied with the format and sequence of the questions, the researcher examined the questions to ensure that they were broad and open-ended enough to facilitate interviewee latitude and freedom to answer unfettered. The researcher was mindful to understand the interviewee’s style of speech and language thereby understanding the meanings contained therein (Reinharz, 1983). This reduced the requirement of rephrasing or clarifying answers which if frequent, tends to stultify the flow and rhythm of the discussion. Satisfied with the draft interview guide, the researcher met with his doctoral supervisors to check the appropriateness of each question and sub-question, its format and the interview guide. The draft interview guide was then forwarded to three nurse academics for revision and feedback (Smith, 1995). This resulted in some minor