title: Systematic methodological review: developing a framework for a qualitative semi-structured interview guide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To produce a framework for the development of a qualitative semi-structured interview guide.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Rigorous data collection procedures fundamentally influence the results of studies. The semi-structured interview is a common data collection method, but methodological research on the development of a semi-structured interview guide is sparse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic methodological review.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science for methodological papers on semi-structured interview guides from October 2004-September 2014. Having examined 2,703 titles and abstracts and 21 full texts, we finally selected 10 papers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed the data using the qualitative content analysis method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our analysis resulted in new synthesized knowledge on the development of a semi-structured interview guide, including five phases: (1) identifying the prerequisites for using semi-structured interviews; (2) retrieving and using previous knowledge; (3) formulating the preliminary semi-structured interview guide; (4) pilot testing the guide; and (5) presenting the complete semi-structured interview guide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rigorous development of a qualitative semi-structured interview guide contributes to the objectivity and trustworthiness of studies and makes the results more plausible. Researchers should consider using this five-step process to develop a semi-structured interview guide and justify the decisions made during it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kallio
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Social and Health Care Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Anna-Maija
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Pietilä
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences, University of Salford, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kangasniemi
mesh_terms: D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007858:Learning; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012107:Research Design
keywords: interview guide; methodology; nursing; qualitative research; semi-structured interview; systematic review; thematic interview