Developing interview questions

SAMPLE OF A similar STUDY

APPENDIX B. INTERVIEW GUIDE

The key research questions to be asked in assessing physician perceptions of leadership

effectiveness in front-line managers.

1. Background: Brief explanation of the study purpose and methodology: The purpose of this interview is to understand how physicians judge leadership effectiveness in managers, specifically front-line managers in hospitals. For the purpose of this interview, I’d like you to keep in mind the following definition of leadership: “The process of social influence in

which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of commontasks or organizational goals.” 1

2. Tell me about your general experiences with front-line managers (grand tour question)

Now let’s talk specifically about leadership effectiveness in front-line managers

3. I’d like you to think about a manager or managers who you felt were really good leaders….can you please describe what made you think about them that way?

Follow up questions if needed

a. Were there any specific behaviors that particularly contributed to your feelings about

their leadership skills?

b. What about manager relationships with physicians and staff? Can you please talk about

how these affect your perception of their leadership skill?

c. What kinds of specific skills or knowledge do you think are important for a manager in

order to be seen as a good leader?

d. In considering what we just discussed, what do you see as the three most important

activities/ behaviors/ activities/ competencies/ characteristics of a good leader in a frontline

manager position?

4. I’d like you to think about a manager or managers who you felt were really bad

leaders….can you please describe what made you think about them that way?

Follow up questions if needed

a. Were there any specific behaviors that particularly contributed to your feelings about

their leadership skills?

b. What about manager relationships with physicians and staff? Can you please talk about

specific relationship factors that negatively your perception of their leadership skill?

c. Were there any specific behaviors or skills (present or absent) that affected how you felt

about the manager’s leadership skills

d. In considering what we just discussed, what do you see as the three most important

activities/ behaviors/ activities/ competencies/ characteristics that negatively affect your

view of a manager’s leadership skills

5. Is there anything else you would like to tell me about how you decide if a manager is aneffective leader or not?