Lizzie Linn Casanave and Jenny Robicheau
Research Briefing October 26, 1998
Synopsis
1. Why interview?
2. Types of interviews
3. Steps in interviewing
4. Interviewing Tips
5. Issues
6. Resources
1. Why interview? Interviewing allows us to learn about people, places,
and events through other people's experiences. It gives us access to other
people's observations. It expands our understanding of other people's
perceptions, learnings, feelings, etc. It also gives us peeks into areas that
may typically be private.
2. Types of interviews:
* Quantitative or Survey Interviewing: Statistical surveys. Aim is
typically to report how many people are in a particular category. Results can
be in table form. This is a more close-ended interviewing research method that
tests hypothesis. "In designing my study it was my intention to combine the
most rigorous, scientifically sound methodology with a deep knowledge of, and
sensitivity to, the issues of rape." Diana Russell was referring to the survey
form of interviewing in this quote.
* Qualitative Interviewing: Semistructured or unstructured form of interviewing
that allows for clarification and discussion. Encourages open-ended questions
which explores individual's views and allows the interviewer to create a
theory. This style is typically less controlled. This form is often used when
the researcher wants detailed descriptions, multiple perspectives, a described
process, a holistic description, interpretations or the identity of variables.
This type of interview may sacrifice uniformity for broader development.
3. Steps in interviewing
1. Decide research goal: Choose a specific topic or question to be
answered.
2. Decide aims of project.
3. Develop framework for project including the breadth of the study.
4. Develop appropriate questions based on study.*
5. Decide type of interviewees: Experts, witnesses, general population.
6. Question: will you tape the interview, transcribe, take notes?
7. Determine contacts.
8. Initial introduction/connection, establish relationship.
9. Arrange for interview keeping in mind where, when, and how long the
interview will be?
10. Conduct interview.
11. Analyze data.
*How do we determine what questions to ask? Develop a basic understandings from
previous work, study, writings and experience. Do pilot research. Try to see
how others have asked the question. Determine what will give substance to your
future report and ask questions based on this goal.
4. Interviewing Tips:
* First, explain the purpose of the interview, going over explanations
of your overall goals.
* How to ask the question: Phrase questions in an open way. Don't ask leading
questions. Do ask probing and clarifying questions.
* Express interest in the informant's response: be an active listener.
* Provide good feedback: (from The Ohio State University Polimetrics Laboratory
for Political and Social Research interviewer training manual via "Essential
Interviewing Techniques" by A. Barber.)
Good Feedback:
I see...
That's important to know
OK... now the next question reads
It's important to find out what people think about this
That is useful/helpful information
Thanks, it's important to get your opinion on that
Bad Feedback:
Yes, a lot of people say that
Oh, really?
Gee, that's the first time I've heard that
I don't know anything about that
* Avoid bias: even voice tone can be interpreted as a bias. Be careful not to
imply criticism, surprise, approval, etc. A non-judgmental manner will promote
a more honest, response.
* You can help the respondent develop their response using the following
suggestions which are excerpts from Learning from Strangers: The Art and
Method of Qualitative Interview Studies by Robert Weiss.
1. Extending. You might want to know what led to an incident. Questions that
ask for this include, "How did that start?" "What led to that?" Or you might
want to know the consequences of an incident: "Could you go on with that? What
happened next?"
2. Filling in detail. You might want more detail that the respondent has
provided. A useful question often is, "Could you walk me through it?" An
interviewer who worked with me used to add, "We need you to be as detailed as
possible," and that seemed to work for her.
3. Others the respondent consulted. Especially in a study whose concerns
include how respondents talked dealt with problems, you may want to ask whom
the respondent talked with about an incident and what the respondent said:
"Did you talk to anyone about what was going on?" This may produce information
about the respondent'' view of the incident at the time.
4. Inner Events: You will generally want to obtain information regarding some
of the inner events that accompanied the outer events the respondent reports.
Inner events include perceptions, what the respondent heard or saw; cognitions,
what the respondent thought, believed, or decided; and emotions, how the
respondent felt and what strivings and impulses the respondent experienced.
* tips from visit by Joy Charlton, Swarthmore College, March 1998
1. Conceptualization: multiple respondents vs. particular informant (you want
to generalize vs. someone who has some particular experiences you want to know
about)
2. Start with easy Qs then ask broad Qs that get a person talking, then add
probing Qs
3. Preliminaries at the time of the interview
* avoid offices full of distractions -- look for, say, a conference room
instead
* JC always tapes interviews so she has an accurate account
* use fresh batteries
* if phone interviewing, watch out for problems with analog vs. digital
equipment
* (re)state who you are & what it is you want to know -- be honest, but not
very revealing
* (re)state what's promised, e.g., anonymous & confidential
4. During interview
* concentrate every moment
* it's a gift for most people to be listened to
* be flexible, esp. when they say something you didn't expect
* peg things to what they previously said
* don't be afraid of pauses
* use your guide to lessen your anxiety
5. Afterwards
* write up notes straight away before you talk about it -- talking first
distorts one's memory
5. Issues:
Confidentiality
Validity
Responsibility
Intrusions
Unresponsiveness
6. Resources:
"Essential Interviewing Techniques"
http://www.unc.edu/depts/nnsp/viewtech.htm by Alleen Barber.
The Ethnographic Interview by James P. Spradley
Feminist Methods in Social Research by Shulamit Reinharz.
Learning from Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview
Studies by Robert Weiss.
Profiles of Social Research: The Scientific Study of Human Interactions
by Morton Hunt.
The Research Experience by Patricia Golden.