DoД«e aware that people may tell the interviewer what they think the interviewer wants them to sayДЄsk people at the end of the interview if they have any questions to askДo not use leading questions, e.g. Key Informant Interviews can be done quickly, (a maximum of 90 minutes per interview) and are often used as a rapid assessment tool (chapter AВ ). Key Informant Interviews can be used at any time during the response and in most contexts to gather information and feedback. A disadvantage is that the interviewee may not represent the whole community. The main advantage of Key Informant Interviews is that it is quick, few resources are needed and it is an efficient way of getting local knowledge. Data analysis can help to identify questions and topics for further exploration. Although normally carried out face to face, interviews can be done by phone, online or using message apps. Notes of the conversation should be summarised at the end, checking that the participants agree with the key points noted. As time allows, the range of informants can be increased. The Key Informants should be encouraged to talk freely and take the lead in the discussion. Interviewers should take notes and may need to work with an interpreter. The interviewers should have good communication skills (including sensitivity, empathy, listening skills) and be trained to use a question checklist and explore the topic. Responses are cross-checked by conducting several interviews with different informants. a health worker can describe morbidity trends in the area, or a womenвЂ™s leader may have information about childrenвЂ™s health and hygiene.

Informants are asked to share what they know about the situation, e.g. It is useful to interview people with a range of perspectives, expertise, local knowledge and an overview of the context, such as respected leaders, elders, the heads of womenвЂ™s groups, health workers and teachers. Key Informant Interviews can be unstructured (a free-flowing discussion) or semi-structured (using pre-prepared questions). Interviewing key community members and representatives is a useful method for gathering information on important issues such as WASH norms and practices in a specific context.

Key informant