Case studies: interviews Dr Dimitra Hartas

What is a case study? Defined as ‘a method for studying social phenomena through the thorough analysis of an individual case. The case may be a person, a group, an episode, a community or any other unit of social life’ (Theodorson ad Theodorson, 1969).

Characteristics of case studies Bounded systems – it has boundaries A case of something Preserve the unity and wholeness of a case Multiple methods of data (eg, observation, interviews) and multiple data sources (eg, interviews of parents, children) are used in a naturalistic setting

Designing a case study What are the characteristics / framework of case studies? Have you explicated your role as a researcher? What is the sampling strategy? Have you given a rationale for the use of case study? Have multiple strategies for data collection been employed? Are the data analyses steps identified? Has coding been used with the data? Are the themes cross-examined? Have you integrated the themes to develop a theory?

Interview as a qualitative research method Interview as a form of professional conversation. Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a participant’s experiences. The interviewer can pursue in-depth information around the topic. Interviews may be useful as follow-up to certain respondents to questionnaires, e.g., to further investigate their responses. (McNamara,1999)

Aspects of Interviews. Interviews are a far more personal form of research than are questionnaires. In the personal interview, the interviewer works directly with the respondent. Unlike with mail surveys, the interviewer has the opportunity to probe or ask follow up questions. Interviews are generally easier for respondent, especially if what is sought is opinions or impressions. Interviews are time consuming and they are resource intensive. The interviewer has to be well trained in how to respond to any contingency.

Types of interviews In depth-interviews (face to face) Focus group interviews Ethnographic interviews Life history interviews Key informants interview

Formats of Interviews Informal interviews General interview guide approach Semi-structured, open-ended interview Closed, fixed-response interview

Informal interviews No predetermined questions are asked, in order to remain as open and adaptable as possible to the interviewee’s nature and priorities; during the interview the interviewer “goes with the flow”.

General interview guide approach The guide approach is intended to ensure that the same general areas of information are collected from each interviewee; this provides more focus than the conversational approach, but still allows a degree of freedom and adaptability in getting the information from the interviewee.

Semi-structured interviews -the same open-ended questions are asked to all interviewees; this approach facilitates faster interviews that can be more easily analyzed and compared.

Closed, fixed-response interview Where all interviewees are asked the same questions and asked to choose answers from among the same set of alternatives. This format is useful for those not practised in interviewing.

Setting up interviews Who will be interviewed and why? How many will be interviewed, and how many times each person? When and for how long? Where will they be interviewed? How will access to participants and setting will be organised (gatekeeping issues)

The context of the interview Choose a setting with the least distraction. Explain the purpose of the interview. Address issues of confidentiality. Explain the format of the interview. Indicate how long the interview usually takes. Provide contact information of the interviewer. Allow interviewee to clarify any doubts about the interview. Prepare a method for recording data, e.g., take notes, tape recorder.

The content of interview Develop an interview schedule, in that it: Organises the interview and gives it purpose and coherence Shows the boundaries of the interview Keeps the researcher focused Provides a framework for analysis and writing up

Conducting the interview Clear -simple, easy and short questions which are spoken distinctly and understandably. Gentle -being tolerant, sensitive and patient Establish empathy and rapport Steering -to control the course of the interview to avoid digressions from the topic. Critical -to test the reliability and validity of what the interviewee tells. Re-stating and Interpreting -provide interpretation of what is said by the interviewee.

During an interview, observe / record: Behaviour -what a person has done or is doing. Opinions/values -what a person thinks about the topic. Feelings -what a person feels rather than what a person thinks. Knowledge -to get facts about the topic. Background/demographics -standard background questions, such as age, education, etc.

Advantages of interviews Allow for an in-depth understanding of participants’ views on an issue Offer the opportunity to understand the context Control over the line of questioning, eg, probing into important areas Obtain the language and words of participant

Limitations Offers indirect information – participants’ views Researcher’s presence may bias responses The quality of data can be compromised when participants are not articulate

Coding data Identify the main themes and summarise them as codes. There are different types of codes: - Setting and context codes -Views held by participants -Relationship and social structures codes - Prescribed coding schemes

Validity Strategies Triangulate: via the use of different data sources, coherence of themes Check emerging themes with participants Use rich, thick description to convey the findings Clarify researcher’s position / bias Present contrary information to the main themes Review emerging themes with a friend

Your role as a researcher Position yourself and explicate your views, the lens through which you view research Bring personal values into the study Place emphasis on the context of the study Make interpretations of the data / triangulate Collaborates with the participants Creates an agenda for change and reform