Which interviewing style allows for some pre-set questions while also permitting deviations?

The selected answer is accurate because semi-structured interviews combine elements of both structured and unstructured interviewing styles. In a semi-structured interview, the researcher prepares a set of predetermined questions to guide the conversation, ensuring that key topics are covered. However, this approach also allows for flexibility, permitting the interviewer to deviate from the script to explore emerging themes or follow interesting leads in the participant's responses. This adaptability can lead to richer, more nuanced data, as the interviewer can probe deeper into specific areas of interest that may arise during the interview, thus providing a balance between consistency and openness in response collection.

In contrast, structured interviews rigidly adhere to a fixed set of questions without deviation, limiting the depth of understanding that can be gained. Unstructured interviews are more conversational and lack a set format, which can lead to a conversational style but may miss critical areas of inquiry. Focus interviews, while gathering data from specific groups or contexts, typically do not lend themselves to the flexibility found in semi-structured formats. Therefore, semi-structured interviews stand out for their ability to allow guided yet exploratory dialogue that captures complex social phenomena more effectively.