Questionnaire vs. Interview — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 13, 2023
A "questionnaire" is a written set of questions for respondents to answer, while an "interview" is a verbal exchange where one person asks questions and another responds. Both gather information, but their methods and interactions differ.
Difference Between Questionnaire and Interview
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A "questionnaire" is typically a structured document containing a series of questions designed to collect specific information from the respondent. These questions are pre-defined, allowing little room for divergence or additional inputs. Questionnaires are generally employed when information from a large number of people is required. They can be administered electronically, on paper, or even via phone.
Conversely, an "interview" is a more interactive method of gathering information. During an interview, there's a two-way communication between the interviewer and the interviewee. While there might be a set of prepared questions, interviews often allow for follow-up questions, enabling a deeper dive into the subject. Interviews are usually more time-consuming and require more resources than questionnaires.
One primary advantage of a "questionnaire" is its ability to gather data from a vast audience in a relatively short time. It's particularly useful for quantitative research where statistical analysis is essential. However, the fixed format might restrict respondents from providing additional insights or explanations.
On the other hand, "interviews" are invaluable for qualitative research. They offer a platform for in-depth discussions, enabling the interviewer to understand the context, emotions, and reasoning behind the answers. But, interviews are labor-intensive and can be subject to interviewer bias.
Lastly, while both "questionnaires" and "interviews" aim to collect information, the former is more structured and less personal, whereas the latter is interactive, allowing for spontaneity and deeper understanding.
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Comparison Chart
Mode
Written or electronic set of questions.
Verbal exchange, can be face-to-face, phone, or virtual.
Flexibility
Fixed format with pre-defined questions.
Allows for follow-up questions and deeper exploration.
Interaction Level
Minimal interaction; respondent answers independently.
High interaction between interviewer and interviewee.
Time & Resource
Less time-consuming, can be mass-distributed.
More time-consuming, requires more resources.
Data Type
Generally quantitative.
Typically qualitative.
Compare with Definitions
Questionnaire
A tool for gathering information in a standardized manner.
The research team used a questionnaire to collect data on dietary preferences.
Interview
A conversation where questions are asked to elicit information.
She had an interview with the college admissions committee.
Questionnaire
A document used in surveys or research to gain statistical information.
The health department sent a questionnaire to residents about exercise routines.
Interview
A method of qualitative research or information gathering.
The journalist set up an interview with the whistleblower.
Questionnaire
A set of written questions to be answered by respondents.
She filled out the questionnaire about her shopping habits.
Interview
A formal meeting, especially one for assessing an applicant's qualifications.
He felt confident after his job interview at the tech firm.
Questionnaire
A list of questions designed for quick and efficient responses.
Applicants were asked to complete a short questionnaire before the interview.
Interview
To have an interview with; to question or converse with, especially for the purpose of obtaining information for publication.
Questionnaire
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions (or other types of prompts) for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. The questionnaire was invented by the Statistical Society of London in 1838.Although questionnaires are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case.
Interview
The questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists;
My interviews with teen-agers revealed a weakening of religious bonds
Questionnaire
A form containing a set of questions, especially one addressed to a statistically significant number of subjects as a way of gathering information for a survey.
Interview
A dialogue aimed at gaining insights or understanding.
The author had an in-depth interview with the president.
Questionnaire
A form containing a list of questions; a means of gathering information for a survey
Carry out a questionnaire
Fill out a questionnaire
Interview
A process to evaluate skills, knowledge, or capabilities.
She practiced with mock interviews before the real one.
Questionnaire
To survey using questionnaires
Interview
An interview is essentially a structured conversation where one participant asks questions, and the other provides answers. In common parlance, the word "interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee.
Questionnaire
Same as Questionary.
Interview
A meeting of people face to face, especially for consultation.
Questionnaire
A list of questions, usually on a printed form, to be answered by an individual. The forms often have blank spaces in which the answers can be written. Sets of such forms are distributed to groups and the answers used for various purposes, such as to obtain statistical information for social science, political, or marketing research, or to obtain information about a patient for the use of medical practitioners.
Interview
Hold an interview with (someone)
She was interviewed by a reporter from the Daily News
Police are keen to interview two men seen nearby
Questionnaire
A form containing a set of questions; submitted to people to gain statistical information
Interview
A formal meeting in person, especially one arranged for the assessment of the qualifications of an applicant.
Questionnaire
A means to assess opinions, behaviors, or characteristics.
The company sought feedback through a customer satisfaction questionnaire.
Interview
A conversation, such as one conducted by a reporter, in which facts or statements are elicited from another.
Interview
An account or a reproduction of such a conversation.
Interview
(Informal) An interviewee
An actor who was a tough interview.
Interview
To obtain an interview from.
Interview
To have an interview
Interviewed with a publishing company.
Interview
(obsolete) An official face-to-face meeting of monarchs or other important figures.
Interview
Any face-to-face meeting, especially of an official or adversarial nature.
Interview
A conversation in person (or, by extension, over the telephone, Internet etc.) between a journalist and someone whose opinion or statements he or she wishes to record for publication, broadcast etc.
The reporter gave the witness an interview.
Interview
A formal meeting, in person, for the assessment of a candidate or applicant.
It was a dreadful interview; I have no hope of getting the job.
Interview
An audition.
Interview
A police interrogation of a suspect or party in an investigation.
Interview
(transitive) To ask questions of (somebody); to have an interview.
He interviewed the witness.
The witness was interviewed.
Interview
(intransitive) To be interviewed; to attend an interview.
Interview
A mutual sight or view; a meeting face to face; usually, a formal or official meeting for consultation; a conference; as, the secretary had an interview with the President.
Interview
A conversation, or questioning, for the purpose of eliciting information for publication; the published statement so elicited.
Interview
A conference (usually with someone important);
He had a consultation with the judge
He requested an audience with the king
Interview
Conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
Interview
Discuss formally with (somebody) for the purpose of an evaluation;
We interviewed the job candidates
Interview
Go for an interview in the hope of being hired;
The job candidate interviewed everywhere
Common Curiosities
Are questionnaires and interviews both methods of data collection?
Yes, both are used to gather information, but they differ in interaction and structure.
Is interviewer bias a concern in interviews?
Yes, the interviewer's behavior or questions can influence interviewee responses.
Which is better for large sample sizes, questionnaire or interview?
Questionnaires are typically more efficient for large sample sizes due to easier distribution.
Are interviews always in person?
No, interviews can be face-to-face, over the phone, or virtual.
Do questionnaires offer anonymity?
Often they do, especially if names and personal details aren't requested.
Can a questionnaire be open-ended like an interview?
While questionnaires can have open-ended questions, they lack the spontaneous follow-up of interviews.
Is the cost of administering a questionnaire lower than an interview?
Typically, yes. Mass-distributed questionnaires can be more cost-effective than individual interviews.
How long does a typical interview last?
It varies, but job or research interviews can range from 30 minutes to several hours.
What's a common issue with questionnaires?
Low response rates can be a challenge, especially with electronic or mail-out questionnaires.
What's a structured interview?
It's an interview with pre-determined questions, similar to a questionnaire but verbally administered.
Can a questionnaire have multiple-choice questions?
Yes, multiple-choice is a common format for questionnaires.
Do all interviews require preparation?
Most do, especially job interviews. Research interviews also benefit from preparation.
How do you ensure reliability in an interview?
By training interviewers, using structured questions, and ensuring a consistent interview environment.
Can interviews be casual?
Yes, some interviews, especially those for gathering personal stories, can be informal.
What's the main advantage of a questionnaire over an interview?
Questionnaires can efficiently gather standardized data from a large audience.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
