Adler clark 4e ppt 10

Qualitative InterviewingChapter 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 university’s

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 participant’s 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.


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.


Degree of structure Constructing questions ahead of time makes

the interviewer’s 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.


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


Interviews using visual methods Drawings Photographs


Interviews using visual methods Photo-interviewing

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


Joint interviewers Have 2 or more interviewers Joint interview maybe used at first so that

researchers develop similar interviewing styles Uncommon method


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


Potential Problems The more political or controversial one’s 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.


Some researchers provide participants with incentives for participating Including food, small gifts, gift certificates,

payment

Planning the Interview

Using consent forms IRB’s 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


Constructing an interview guide or schedule The interviewer typically starts with general

questions and follows up participants’ comments.


Constructing an interview guide or schedule If using a semi-structured interview you will need to

construct a list of questions, both basic and follow-up 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


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.


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 interviewee’s

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


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


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 researcher’s 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 you’re 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 you’re interviewing looks up and says, “I’m so depressed, I feel like killing myself.”

What would you do?

After the Interview’s 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 Interview’s 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. investigatory.

b. explanatory

c. critique

d. exploratory

e. causal.

Quiz - Question 2

The purpose of qualitative interviewing is toa. understand how individuals subjectively see

the world and make sense of their lives.

b. test theoretical propositions.

c. obtain comparable data from a large population.

d. engage respondents in a conversation that may help them to understand their situations

e. provide date for statistical analysis.

Quiz – Question 3

Consent formsa. provide information to the respondent on the

nature of the research.

b. ensures confidentiality and anonymity.

c. provides contact information on the principal investigator.

d. are approved by the IRB prior to the interview.

e. All of the above

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Adler clark 4e ppt 10

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