More on Interviewing….

Researcher as research instrument Qualitative interviews require considerable skill on the part of the interviewer. The interviewer needs to notice how directive he or she is being Whether leading questions are being asked whether cues are picked up or ignored Whether interviewees are given enough time to explain what they mean

Whyte’s Directiveness Scale 1. Making encouraging noises 2. Reflecting on remarks made by the informant 3. Probing on the last remark by the informant 4. Probing an idea preceding the last remark by the informant 5. Probing an idea expressed earlier in the interview 6. Introducing a new topic (1=least directive, 6=most directive)

Maintaining control of the interview Know what it is you want to find out Ask the right questions to get the information you need Give appropriate verbal and non-verbal feedback Good feedback vs. bad feedback Avoiding bias

Bracketing Your Biases First, make a list of your characteristics: 1. your gender; 2. your age; 3. your ethnic or national identification; 4. your religion or philosophy of life; 5. your political party or orientation; 6. your favourite psychological theory. Add four more characteristics: words or phrases that are descriptive of you as an individual.

Bracketing (cont.) 1. List ways in which your characteristics might bias you in your efforts at research interviewing. 2. Then write how you might counteract these biases. 3. And then write how these efforts to counteract your biases might themselves lead to other biases!