An interview that is conducted using a predetermined set of questions asked in the same manner and sequence for every client is called a

• A. Structured interview
• B. Semi-structured interview
• C. Unstructured interview
• D. Diagnostic interview

Answer: (A)

Standardization in interviewing is being tested here. A structured interview uses a fixed set of questions asked in the same order for every client, which makes data collection uniform and easier to compare across individuals. This consistency boosts reliability and helps reduce interviewer bias because the prompts aren’t improvised. In counseling practice, it’s especially useful for ensuring essential areas—such as symptom patterns, functioning, and risk factors—are systematically explored and that responses line up with a clear scoring framework.

This differs from a semi-structured interview, where the interviewer has a core set of questions but can adapt or reorder based on the client’s responses. An unstructured interview is highly flexible and conversational, with no predetermined sequence. A diagnostic interview refers to the goal of assessing for specific conditions, and while some diagnostic interviews can be structured, the description here centers on the standardized format itself.