Lecture 3

Qualitative interviewing

Revision from yesterday

Paradigm and method

Quantitative & Qualitative methods

Not diametrically opposed the difference exists at the level of method, not paradigm. BUT quantitative and qualitative methods are well suited to the positivist and interpretivist paradigms, respectively.

BECAUSE:
Quantitative Study of observable qualities; Observation of behaviour; Identification and measurement of variables; Static design; Testing of hypotheses; Many cases; Formal instruments; Positivism Reality is out there; Reality is the same for everyone; Reality is patterned and orderly;

Focus on prediction; More scientific methods produce more accurate knowledge;

Qualitative Study of meaning; Researcher as instrument; Few cases; Empathy with experience action; Focus on how and why; Emergent design;

Interpretivism Social reality is subjective;

Variables complex and and interwoven, difficult to measure;

A positivist perspective on reality

What made Lil Zi join a gang?
Personality Poverty Abusive background Fear of the streets Absent parents Violent role models Lil Zi joins a gang

What is the likelihood that Jack will join a gang?

An interpretivist perspective
Poverty Absent parents

Violent role models

Abusive background

Fear of the streets

Personality

How can qualitative and quantitative research be used together?

Qualitative research answers the question, What is X?, which precedes enumeration of X. Eg. Can discover most suitable questions for quantitative questionnaire Qualitative research can be used to validate / explain the findings of quantitative studies. Qualitative research can provide a different perspective on quantitative findings. Stand alone qualitative research

Qualitative interviewing
Readings: Banister, P., Burman, E., Parker, I., Taylor, M., and Tindell, C.1994. Qualitative methods in psychology. Open University Press: Buckingham: Chapter 4. Andersen, K. and Jack, D. 1991. Learning to listen: Interview techniques and analyses. In Gluck, S. and Patai, B. (eds.) Womens words: the feminist practice of oral history. Routledge: New York.

Reasons for qualitative interviewing

When you are interested in subjective meanings; When the issues you want to explore are too complex to investigate through quantitative means; When you dont know enough about your topic to be able to design a quantitative measurement.

Qualitative interviewing: key concepts

Goal is to understand subjective experience. The interview context is central to the information produced. Eg: at a party vs in a lecture. Reflexivity: Importance of the relationship between interviewer and interviewee. Eg: mother and daughter vs doctor and patient. Questions are as important as answers.

Discussion
What are the important elements of the interview context, and how might these influence the nature of the information produced? What would be the most desirable elements in an interview relationship, and why? What are the important features of interview questions and why?

The interview context

Physical environment: at the office or in a coffee shop? Interviewer interviewee relationship: Professional relationship or allies? Whos the expert? Mutual understanding and identification; Trust, empathy, respect. Questions: Prescriptive or open?

Key interviewing skills

Active listening
Empathic understanding Flexible, responsive but also focussed Facilitate a conversation rather than a question and answer session

Common errors in interviewing

Close-ended questions Questions that only allow for a limited response. Leading questions Regular interruption Insensitive questions Why questions Questions that serve to elicit particular information. Interviewees are not permitted to fully express themselves. Questions that inappropriately seek to elicit sensitive material. Questions attempting to make people account for their behaviour, thoughts or feelings. Overly directive and superficial questioning.

Too many questions