Chapter 7: Interviews

Question 1

Interview Guide

Answer 1

the term used to describe the list of prepared questions, or topic areas, that you anticipate using in the interview

Question 2

How are interviews conducted?

Answer 2

interviews makeup a significant proportion of qualitative research

there are several types of interviews that vary between: number of interviewees, number of interviewers, face-to-face, online, telephone, etc.

what we are looking at when we are conducting and analyzing interviews will be influenced by our philosophical assumptions

Question 3

What is the phenomenology of interviews?

Answer 3

focuses the individual’s conscious experience

critical realism?

for interviews, some argue that it is important to focus on the specific over the general

Question 4

What is the relativist social constructionism perspective on interviews?

Answer 4

interviews consist of constructed talk: constructions tend to be consistent

goes beyond what was said at a surface level: also considers the role of the interviewer as an integral aspect of the data collection

interview as a conversation

Question 5

How should you prepare to conduct an interview?

Answer 5

a strong base of knowledge is important

should have some sense of structure: structured, semi-structured, and one

questions should be clear, open-ended, and could be answered meaningfully and in-depth

avoid leading questions, multiple faceted questions, and potentially accusatory/suggestive questions

practice

have an interview schedule

anticipate potential responses and have questions ready: have alternative ways to ask some questions

Question 6

What should the interviewer do during the interview?

Answer 6

be sure to conduct interview in an appropriate and comfortable setting

ease the interviewee into the interview and discuss the ethical aspects of the interview

let the interviewee know the structure of the interview

an icebreaker question may be a good way to start

can be useful to rephrase their response and get confirmation

establish a rapport but make sure to keep boundaries

don’t rush

allow some flexibility

don’t ask questions if the answer was already provided

avoid psychological jargon

keep your composure

remember, you are a human being interviewing a human being

don’t be afraid of silence

don’t talk too much but make sure that you are “part of the conversation”

be critical and ask follow-ups, clarifications, or asking about inconsistencies

off-the-record comments may happen, ask if there is anyway to use the information if important

don’t be too quick to end the interview if the participants becomes upset

be sure to remind them of the ethical aspects of the study