Problem-Centered Interview

What is a Problem-Centered Interview?

A problem-centered interview is an interview method focused on a concrete question. It combines letting the person narrate openly with targeted questions about a clearly defined problem or topic.

Problem-Centered Interview in Detail

The problem-centered interview comes from qualitative social research (Andreas Witzel) and combines openness with focus: on the one hand, the interviewee should come to speak freely and describe their view; on the other, the conversation is directed at a particular, predefined problem. The interviewer uses a flexible guide, narration-generating impulses, and targeted follow-up questions to deeply open up the topic from the interviewee's perspective. In practical communication, the principle can be transferred to focused interviews in which a concrete topic (such as a project, a decision, a problem) is at the center – unlike the biographical interview (focus on the person) or the purely narrative interview (free narration). For the interviewee, this means: stay on the topic, present your own view clearly and with examples, and keep the central question in view. It offers room for depth while maintaining thematic focus.

In practice, the problem-centered interview combines openness with focus: on the one hand, the interviewee should come to speak freely; on the other, the conversation is directed at a particular, predefined problem. The interviewer uses a flexible guide, narration-generating impulses, and targeted follow-up questions to deeply open up the topic from the interviewee's perspective. In practical communication, the principle can be transferred to focused interviews in which a concrete topic such as a project, a decision, or a problem is at the center. For the interviewee: stay on the topic, present your own view clearly and with examples, and keep the central question in view. This creates depth while maintaining thematic focus.

How does a Problem-Centered Interview work?

The problem-centered interview combines open narration with targeted questions about a concrete problem. Through a flexible guide and follow-up questions, a topic is deeply opened up. For interviewees: stay on the topic and present your own view clearly.

Problem-Centered Interview – Examples in Practice

A researcher questions specialists in a focused way about a concrete work problem. A journalist opens up a participant's view of a project with targeted questions. An expert presents his perspective on a concrete decision.

Problem-Centered Interview: Key Features at a Glance

• Principle: openness plus thematic focus
• Origin: qualitative social research (Witzel)
• Tool: a flexible guide and follow-up questions
• Distinction: more focused than the narrative interview
• For interviewees: stay on the topic, use examples

Related Terms

• Narrative Interview
• Expert Interview
• Interview Formats
• Biographical Interview
• Interview

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Problem-Centered Interview: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a problem-centered interview?

An interview method focused on a concrete question that combines open narration with targeted questions about a problem.

Where does the problem-centered interview come from?

From qualitative social research; it goes essentially back to Andreas Witzel and combines openness with thematic focus.

How does it differ from the narrative interview?

The narrative interview lets people narrate as freely as possible. The problem-centered interview directs the conversation specifically at a predefined problem.

What should you watch for as an interviewee?

To stay on the topic, present your own view clearly and with examples, and keep the central question in view.