Recording Semi-Structured interviews
Typically, the interviewer has a paper-based interview guide that he or she follows. Since semi-structured interviews often contain open-ened questions and discussions may diverge from the interview guide, it is generally best to tape-record interviews and later transcript these tapes for analysis.
While it is possible to try to jot notes to capture respondents' answers, it is difficult to focus on conducting an interview and jotting notes. This approach will result in poor notes and also detract for the development of rapport between interviewer and interviewee. Development of rapport and dialogue is essential in unstructured interviews.
If tape-recording an interview is out of the question, consider having a note-taker present during the interview.