Structured Interview Tools: Insights and Issues from Assessing Wellbeing of Fishermen Adapting to Change Using Scoring and Ranking Questions

This case discusses the use of researcher-administered structured interview tools, with ranking and scoring exercises, combined with more open-ended fluid interviews. Drawing on empirical work applying methods from wellbeing research to understanding the social impacts of change in a small-scale fishing community in the East of England, I discuss the insights that were gained from using these tools and some of the methodological issues I encountered. Finally, I reflect on my experience and some of the ethical questions that arose when using these tools. In doing so, I explain my decision to abandon the use of these tools and to privilege a less structured interview approach.