7 min readConcept sheetOften a 5- or 10-mark answer

Interview schedule

An interview schedule is a set of questions that a trained interviewer asks face to face and records the answers on the form. It works even with illiterate respondents.

Filled byThe interviewer (enumerator), not the respondent

SuitsIlliterate or semi-literate respondents; field surveys

Key to successHonest, well-trained enumerators

Interview typesStructured (schedule) and unstructured (interview guide)

Questionnaire vs interview schedule

Point	Questionnaire	Interview schedule
Filled by	Respondent	Interviewer (enumerator)
Respondents	Literate only	Literate or illiterate
Cost	Low	High: enumerators must be paid and trained
Response rate	Often low	High
Doubts	No one to explain	Interviewer explains on the spot
Identity of respondent	Not always certain	Known
Coverage	Wide, by post or online	Limited by travel
Success depends on	Quality of the questionnaire	Honesty and skill of the enumerator
Observation	Not possible	Possible alongside, e.g. of the kitchen

Structured vs unstructured interview

Structured (schedule)Fixed questions in a fixed order, with the same wording for everyone. Answers are easy to compare and code. Used in large surveys such as a household diet survey.

Unstructured (interview guide)Only a list of topics; the interviewer is free to probe and change the order. Gives depth but is harder to compare. Used to learn why mothers delay complementary feeding.

Kothari also lists focused, clinical and non-directive interviews and telephone interviews; Ranjit Kumar groups all interviews as structured or unstructured.

Using a schedule in the field

Merits and demerits of the schedule

MeritsWorks with illiterate respondents; high response; doubts are explained on the spot; the respondent's identity is known; the interviewer can also observe, e.g. the foods stored at home.

DemeritsCostly and slow over a wide area; needs trained enumerators; risk of interviewer bias; respondents may not be frank about sensitive topics.

In nutrition research

Large diet surveys such as NNMB and NFHS use trained field staff with schedules, because many respondents cannot read. A 24-hour dietary recall is usually done as an interview, with standard cups and spoons to help the respondent recall amounts.

Exam angle

2 marks: “What is an interview schedule?” A form with a fixed set of questions that an interviewer asks face to face and fills in with the respondent's answers.

5 marks: “Distinguish between a questionnaire and an interview schedule.” Compare who fills it, literacy needed, cost, response rate, help with doubts, coverage, and what success depends on.

10 marks: “What is an interview schedule? Explain its merits and demerits and how it differs from a questionnaire.” Definition, structured vs unstructured interviews, field steps, merits and demerits, and a comparison table with a questionnaire.

Remember it

Questionnaire: the respondent writes. Schedule: the interviewer sits with the respondent and writes.