The Qualitative
Research Interview- Tara
The
focus of this article was on qualitative interviews. DiCicco and
Crabtree discussed unstructured and semi-structured interviews. During an unstructured qualitative
interview, the interviewer selects one or a few key people to interview on a
continuing basis. The interviewer
takes short notes during the interview itself, while asking questions.
Semi-structured
interviews are the most used interviewing method for qualitative research.
These are interviews that are mainly scheduled in advance. The interviewer asks open-ended
questions, and then other questions are formed from the conversation. They can be conducted in either
individual in-depth or group interviews.
During individual in-depth interviews, the basic research question may
be the first question, with 5-10 more precise questions to help explore more
deeply what the interviewer is researching. The group interview allows the interviewers to get a broad
scope of information, but limits from digging deeper, as in the individual
interview.
It
is important to develop rapport with the interviewee. Rapport is a foundation of respect for the interviewee and
the information they are sharing.
This includes creating a safe and trusting environment for sharing. There are four stages of establishing
rapport, which include the following: apprehension, exploration, co-operation,
and participation.
During
the apprehension phase, the interviewer focuses on getting the interviewer to
talk. The next phase, exploration,
begins when the interviewee is feeling comfortable enough to become engaged in
an in-depth discussion. In the
third phase, the participants are in agreement of the interview process and are
no longer worried of offending each other. If the interview process continues for a period of time, the
participation stage may occur if rapport is developed.
Qualitative
data analysis occurs alongside data collection. The investigators form an understanding of the research
question and eventually no new categories or themes occur. There are multiple approaches to
analysis and the article describes a few.
During the ‘editing approach’, investigators develop patterns from the
text segments for organizing. The
template approach sorts text segments with codes from a codebook into
categories. The
‘immersion/crystallization’ approach occurs when the analyst immerses him or
herself into the text.
Interpretations eventually “crystallize” and it becomes clear.
The
article wraps up with discussing four ethical issues relating to the interview
process. They include reducing the
risk of unanticipated harm, protecting the interviewee’s information,
effectively informing interviewees about the nature of the study, and reducing
the risk of exploitation. Interviewers
should do everything they can to maintain these ethical issues.
We
are in the process of interviewing key leaders in our community. Do you feel like this article helped
you understand the interview process?
The article discusses how important it is to establish rapport. What strategies will you use to
establish rapport with the person you are interviewing? Will you have an individual or group
interview?
I feel like this article is very beneficial to understanding the interview process. In conducting our interviews with the key leaders in our communities, it is obviously important that we contact them first and have questions prepared (the semi-structured interview model). In establishing rapport, again, it is important to have much of what you want to say prepared so that you can be more at ease and focus on them entirely and what they are saying.
ReplyDeleteThis article definitely helps to understand a clear perception about the interviewing process. Being prepared and scheduling for an interview is a way to help prepare. I think the best way to establish rapport is by making sure that you are on time for an interview, preparing questions to ask, thanking the person or group you are interviewing, and following up by seeing what you can do for them in advance. I believe an individual interview of a key leader in my community would be helpful, however if I wanted to hear different opinions about the community, I would hold a group interview such as if I were talking to residents within the community.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really important that we over emphasize the importance of establishing rapport, not only with clients but also anyone else you're "interviewing." This is something I want to work on because I find myself just wanting to jump right in. I won't get the depth of information I want to know that way. To establish rapport, I would greet them warmly with a handshake and talk to them a little about themselves and how their day is going. Then gradually lead into the questions.
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate the readings in this class, because I feel like I do actually gain a bit more of a practical understanding of this process. I don't believe I have problems talking to people or in front of a group, but I do know that if I have a tendency to freeze up a bit if I'm feeling out of my depth. It was good to be reminded how to get the ball rolling in a conversation/interview.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the article’s overview of the various interview approaches and speaking about the potential emotional harms when seeking information. The most basic way to build rapport is to be prepared. I plan on doing one-on-one interviews, although I do see the benefits of group interaction. I feel that one advantage of attending a town-hall meeting prior to conducting an interview is that you can ask questions during the interview based upon what the community has already articulated. This approach is preferable than guesstimating what the focus should be by valuing and making the most out of the interviewee’s time and energy. Also, initially engaging in indirect discourse (i.e. through observation) lessens your influence on how people behave/respond which may allow for you to obtain more “accurate” information. Lastly, by attending events within the community prior to interviewing, you already demonstrate your genuine interest which builds rapport as opposed to being perceived as the “detached researcher”.
ReplyDeleteTayo, that is a great idea to attend a town hall meeting prior to the interview!
ReplyDelete