Qualitative Interviewing

Chapter 10

Introduction
Qualitative interviews A data collection method in which an interviewer adapts and modifies the interview for each interviewee.

Introduction
Qualitative interviews may be used as the sole

form of data collection for a study or may be combined with another form of data collection. Qualitative interviews coupled with observation is typical Observational techniques

Methods of collecting data by observing people, most typically in their natural settings.

Qualitative versus Structured Interviews

Qualitative interviews versus structured

interviews

Similarities Differences

Focal Research
Managing Motherhood in Prison by Sandra

Enos

A sociologist whose research interests included both families and corrections, combined these interests with a study on how the social processes of mothering are worked out when mothers are in prison Qualitative interviews

Focal Research
Ethics Enos submitted her proposal to her universitys Institutional Review Board (IRB) where it was approved. All of the women interviewed in this research volunteered and gave informed consent before being interviewed. All information was kept confidential, although each participant was cautioned about the legal limits of confidentiality, and no participants actual name is used by Enos.

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Number and length of interviews

Depending on the survey type, participants maybe interviewed only once or several times. Length of time will vary by participant and how much information or open-ended response they provide. Typically participants are encouraged to talk as much or as little as they would like.

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Degree of structure Qualitative interviews can vary from unstructured to semi-structured interactions. Semi-Structured Interview

Interview with an interview guide containing primarily open-ended questions that can be modified for each interview. Interview guide the list of topics to cover and the order in which to cover them that can be used to guide less structured interviews.

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Degree of structure Constructing questions ahead of time makes the interviewers job easier to help ensure all topics are covered. Semi-structured interviews are most useful if you know in advance the kinds of questions to ask, feel fairly sure that you and the interviewees speak the same language, and plan an analysis that requires the same information from each participant.

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Degrees of structure

Unstructured Interview

A data collection method in which the interviewer starts with only a general sense of the topics to be discussed and creates questions as the interaction proceeds.
Start with a sense of what information is needed and formulate questions as the interview unfolds Flexibility in questioning can provide insight into the participants viewpoint Very interactive

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Interviews using visual methods

Drawings Photographs

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Interviews using visual methods

Photo-interviewing

A data collection technique using photographs to elicit information and encourage discussion usually in conjunction with qualitative interviewing

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Joint interviewers

Have 2 or more interviewers Joint interview maybe used at first so that researchers develop similar interviewing styles Uncommon method

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Group and focus group interviews

A group interview has one interviewer and two or more interviewees Individuals in a group are selected because they have something in common

Examples: married couple, members of the same church, teachers from schools in different towns, or patients in a given hospital

Can use either a predetermined set or questions or an unstructured format

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Group and focus group interviews

Focus group interview

A special kind of group interview, where participants converse with each other and have minimal interaction with a moderator.

Can be used alone or in combination with other forms of data collection, preceding or supplementing a questionnaire or structured interview.

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Group and focus group interviews

Focus groups generally have between 3 and 12 participants They are homogenous on the characteristic for which they were recruited

Example: People who have been recently widowed or have specific health concerns

The participants usually do not know each other Also used for market research

Variations in Qualitative Interviews

Group and focus group interviews

Concerns

Some voices might not be heard Participants are less likely to reveal specific behaviors and experiences Sample size limited generalizability due to small and nonrandom samples Ethical concerns for participants to keep confidential the information provided by others.

Locating Respondents & Presenting the Project

The researcher must decide on the population

and the kind of sample before locating potential interviewees and contacting them. Qualitative researchers are frequently interested in studying groups of people for whom there are no lists

For example mothers in prison, people with depression, fathers who do not live with their children, etc.

Issues of Validity
Validity issues still remain with qualitative

interviews as with other self-report methods.

Inaccurate memories Misunderstandings Miscommunications

Typically researchers believe interviewees tell

the truth as they understand it and rarely offer false information knowingly

Locating Respondents & Presenting the Project

Researchers typically use friendship networks,

newspaper ads, notices on bulletin boards, announcements at meetings, posts on websites, blogs, discussion groups or emails to recruit participants. Snowball samples are useful Participants are often contacted through a gatekeeper.

Locating Respondents & Presenting the Project

Gatekeepers

Are individuals who can get a researcher into a setting or facilitate access to participants.

Example
Parents and guardians of children under 18, the heads of institutions, community organizations, agencies, or groups whose members you want to contact

Locating Respondents & Presenting the Project

Potential Problems

The more political or controversial ones topic is, the more difficult it is to gain access to and participation from potential respondents Concern of potential interviewees that the information they provide will be used against them or that the researcher is not who she says she is such as undercover police, investigative reporters, union organizers, or industrial spies.

Locating Respondents & Presenting the Project

Some researchers provide participants with

incentives for participating

Including food, small gifts, gift certificates, payment

Planning the Interview

Using consent forms

IRBs typically require interviewers to use a written informed consent form. Informed consent form

A statement that describes they study and the researcher and formally requests participation

Planning the Interview

Constructing an interview guide or schedule

The interviewer typically starts with general questions and follows up participants comments.

Planning the Interview

Constructing an interview guide or schedule If using a semi-structured interview you will need to construct a list of questions, both basic and followup questions to gather information Less structured interviews start with broad interesting questions The guidelines for questions in chapter 9 are also true for qualitative interviews

Avoid double-barreled, double-negative, or threatening questions and avoid wording that is ambiguous or leading

Planning the Interview

Constructing an interview guide or schedule

After constructing the interview guide, it should be pilot tested with people similar to those who will be interviewed during data collection The list of questions can continue to evolve during the course of data collection.

Planning the Interview

Speaking the same language

It is essential for the interviewer and interviewee to literally speak the same language It is important to be familiar with the culture of your participants

Conducting the Interview

Where and how to interview

Interviews can be held in offices, in the interviewees home, or elsewhere If privacy is needed it is important to consider in scheduling and child care may need to be offered. The interviewers should strive to be nonjudgmental in voice tone, phrasing of questions, and body language Interviewer needs to be an active listener

Conducting the Interview

Recording the interview

Recordings are essential in data analysis The interviewer can be a more active listener when they are not writing everything down. Be cautious recordings can intimidate participants and inhibit frankness

Conducting the Interview

Being Real in the Interview In traditional qualitative interviewing the interviewer does not share judgments, opinions, or real conversation

Uses a style that gives evidence of interest and understanding in what is being said by nodding, smiling, etc.., but does not share opinions or any personal information

Critics of the traditional interview format argue that the interviewer and interviewee should treat each other as full human beings, to allow development of a closer relationship

Interviewing Across the Great Divides

Researchers using interviews need to think

about interviewer effect Interviewer effect

The change in a respondent's behavior or answers that is the result of being interviewed by a specific interviewer.

The researchers identities, such as class, race,

sexual orientation can affect all aspects of the research process, including data collection

Interviewing Across the Great Divides

Matching interviewers and interviewees on social

characteristics such as gender, race, age, ethnicity, and class may be considered desirable. Similar backgrounds are thought to develop a better rapport Depending on the topic discussed dissimilar backgrounds may be desired Men typically prefer to be interviewed by women

Stop and Think

Imagine that youre almost at the end of an

interview on college students relationships with significant others. After describing how the most recent love relationship ended, the student youre interviewing looks up and says, Im so depressed, I feel like killing myself. What would you do?

After the Interviews Over

If covering an emotionally difficult topics, researchers

might need to prepare for the emotional aftermath or a request for help. Include a series of cool down questions at the end of the interview so the interview does not end immediately after talking about sensitive subjects. Prepare something to leave with the participants List of local organizations that provide services in the area under discussion Locate or provide counseling or therapy sessions for the interviewee

After the Interviews Over

Analyzing interview data

If the interview has been recorded, it is then transcribed. Transcription is a time-consuming process Process of analyzing data is typically more inductive The researcher should approach data analysis with an open mind and read the data for common patterns or themes.

Summary
Advantages

Disadvantages

Quiz Question 1
Qualitative interviews are very appropriate when the purpose of research is
a. b.

c.
d. e.

investigatory. explanatory critique exploratory causal.

Quiz - Question 2
The purpose of qualitative interviewing is to
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

understand how individuals subjectively see the world and make sense of their lives. test theoretical propositions. obtain comparable data from a large population. engage respondents in a conversation that may help them to understand their situations provide date for statistical analysis.

Quiz Question 3

Consent forms
a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

provide information to the respondent on the nature of the research. ensures confidentiality and anonymity. provides contact information on the principal investigator. are approved by the IRB prior to the interview. All of the above