Chapter 12 - Qualitative Interviewing

Question 1

What is the difference between an interview and casual conversation?

Answer 1

interviews…
- begin by obtaining consent from the interviewee
- There is an explicit purpose – to answer the research question(s)
- Repetition is included to ensure that the researcher’s interpretation is correct
- Researcher expresses more interest and ignorance
- Much less balance – the majority of the questions are asked by the interviewer
- Researcher asks about abbreviations and jargon so that there is no misunderstanding between interviewer

Question 2

What sampling method is used for qualitative interviews?

Answer 2

• non-probability sampling
• any ethical recruitment strategy

Question 3

What are incentives?

Answer 3

• participants can be time consuming for interviews
• there can be a monetary payment

Question 4

Where do interviews take place?

Answer 4

• in private
• quiet
• safe place

Question 5

What is an informant and what are 4 characteristics of a good informant?

Answer 5

definition: a key actor in qualitative research is a member with whom a researcher develops a relationship and tells about the aspects of the research setting
1. is very familiar with the culture
2. is currently involved in the culture
3. the person can spend time with the researcher
4. non-analytical individuals make better informants

Question 6

What are some question types?

Answer 6

1. introducing questions
2. follow-up questions
3. probing questions
4. specifying questions
5. direct questions
6. indirect questions
7. structuring questions
8. interpreting questions
9. silence

Question 7

What is an interview guide?

Answer 7

• a list of questions that the researcher wants to ensure are covered during the course of the interview
• question order doesn’t have to be followed and question wording may be altered

Question 8

What are the 11 rules of interviewing?

Answer 8

1. never begin an interview cold
2. remember your purpose
3. Present a natural front
4. demonstrate aware hearing
5. think about appearance
6. interview in a comfortable place
7. don’t be satisfied with monosyllabic answers
8. be respectful
9. practice
10. be cordial and appreciative
11. if you really don’t understand something, say so

Question 9

What are some advantages of interviewing?

Answer 9

• understand the world from perspective
• responses are varied
• allows voices to be heard
• data rich with description
• aim is plenty of detail
• explanations and opinions of events, lifestyles, experiences
• lots of data
• development of new theories
• development of new avenues of research
• sometimes the findings of qualitative research will be used to inform structured interview questions and explore findings from quantitative surveys

Question 10

What are the problems with validity and reliability?

Answer 10

• sample sizes are small and quantitative researchers sometimes question the results of the study

Question 11

What are focus groups?

Answer 11

• where people are interviewed in a group discussion
• moderator is used
• a range of topics are used

Question 12

What is the role of the moderator

Answer 12

• aims to facilitate a free and open discussion
• trained to be nondirective
• intervenes when necessary

Question 13

What are the advantages and limitations of focus groups?

Answer 13

Advantages
- natural settings allow people to express opinions freely
- open expression among members of marginalized social groups is encouraged
- people tend to feel empowered especially in action oriented research projects
Limitations
- popularization effect
- only one or a few topics can be discussed
- less control
- moderator may unwittingly limit openness
- requires a skilled moderator
- groups effects (groupthink, problem individuals, quiet participants)
- can be difficult to transcribe recordings of the focus group