Chapter 10: Qualitative Interviewing Methods (Meaning-Making) From Social Research Methods, 2nd ed Part 3: Qualitative Methods &

Meaning-Making Not like Quants (structured comparisons) but specific, often unique, meanings and perspective that individuals and/or groups attach to the social ie situations, behavior, experiences or social or political phenomena Smaller units of people and society

Introduction: Undercovering social meaning through interviews alienation in Lebanese gangs in Sydney, challenges the way we think by addressing the experience of groups we rarely meet face to face. Produces rich, quality, and insightful data. Late 19th century Britain to study problems of the poor and non-Western societies 1920s The Chicago School, Robert Park at the University of Chicago get out of library and go investigate the world around you Easy to record, flexible. Examples: masculinities, emotional attachment in trailer park homes, Australian paint sniffer, post-social relationship of equities traders

What is a qualitative interview? The question your research asks The theoretical framework of your project o Quantitative: Structured interview mostly closed questions ie survey, customer feedback same set of questions in the same way to a number of interview respondents -> comparative data from a sample. To get patterns / relationships that can be identified and statically analysed. Qualitative: In-depth Interview mostly open-ended conversation, guided by a set of general themes. Flexibility, can ask additional questions, express opinions, explore issues. To answer social

questions through subjective meanings and understandings that people bring to their interpretation of the social world

The importance of meaning Meaning and subjectivity Max Weber social scientists advantage over natural scientists is being able to communicate with objects of study. Interview re motives and purposes or observe their behavior

How to conduct an indepth interview (on the Charlie Rose Show) Training good listening and reflective skills

Choosing a topic Personal experience, or none, sociological imagination -> research question Relating the experiences of a particular group of people to changes taking place in wider society

How many interviews? Depends on what you do with the interview method, time and resources (transcription, analysis, identify most useful sections, develop themes that will be used in organizing and presenting extracts from the interviews). 2 hrs transcription = 1 hour recorded interview

Recruiting Interviewees (volunteers) Learn about research project and need for participants Interest Feasible participation Motivated to follow through Example, anorexia. One recruit might get you others

Approaching the Interview Preparation closed and open-ended questions, a little silence, concentrate to use follow-up questions, bring things from tangent, You dont want a conversation it has to be an interview, expect new themes to emerge and develop through the process of interviewing Types of questions o o o o o o o o o o Descriptive Contrast Opinion/value Feeling emotional responses Knowledge Devils advocate questions Hypothetical questions Posting the ideal question Reflecting questions Summary questions

Interview guide o a short list of main topics or themes you want to address to cover all the key areas Develop list from lit review and research question Unstructured interview explore topic fully from perspective of the participant so give room for Probing or asking for explanations or clarification of answers Aim for free flow, not always looking at notes

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Interviewing Techniques

Beginning prep, formal stage purpose, how info used, confidentiality, voluntary. Explain your role in research project and objectives. Get participant to relax Getting good answers depth, detail, vivid, nuanced answers, rich w thematic material Techniques dont approach sensitive q directly, use prompts to give longer answers ie nodding, silence, tell me more. Follow up, observing and listening Achieving rapport trust and ease to gain an understanding of another persons model of the world and to be able to communicate this understanding = get an insight. BUT you dont want a conversational partnership and lose objectivity. Barriers to rapport explaining risks and obtaining consent. (Ethics committee), interrupting, express your own opinions strongly, pacing, stress Sensitive Interviews supply access to support

Recording your data Do this. Or take good notes

Beyond Interviewing Different from ethnographic fieldwork, surveys, conversation analysis Common criticisms small sample size, contamination, self-censor, social desirability effect, memory problems In defence of interviewing quick, cheap, less intrusive, people talk, depth

Focus Groups Recorded/filmed body language Group processes and group dynamics Needs skilled moderator

Sensitive topics, domination risk

Dont want anyone to feel bad BUT

Is there anything else you want to tell me?

What is Quantitative data and why do we analyse it?