What type of interview allows interviewers to ask participants to explain their responses briefly?

The semi-structured interview is designed to have a flexible framework that allows the interviewer to ask specific predetermined questions while also encouraging participants to expand on their responses. This format enables the interviewer to delve deeper into the participant's thoughts and feelings, giving them the opportunity to explain their responses in more detail. The semi-structured approach balances the need for consistency across interviews with the flexibility to explore topics that may arise spontaneously, providing richer and more nuanced qualitative data.

In contrast, structured interviews involve a strict adherence to a pre-set list of questions without deviation, limiting the depth of responses and the chance for elaboration. Unstructured interviews, while more casual, may lack consistency in questioning and might not provide enough guidance to explore specific areas. Focus group interviews involve group dynamics and discussions, which can lead to shared ideas but may not focus on individual responses in the same way as a semi-structured interview.