Seminar: Doing Interviews PSY 2116 SPS4313

The Interview The qualitative research interview is the most common form of systematic social inquiry across the social sciences, and the data generated is granted particularly high status (Holliday, 2002)

Why?? We cannot observe: –Feelings –Thoughts –Intentions –Behaviours –Personal experiences –Personal meanings –Personal interactions

Seminar Overview Objective –Provide “hands on” practical experience of doing interviews as preparation for coursework Aims –How to prepare for interview? –How to execute an interview? –Challenges arising from conducting interviews? –Actual practice of doing interviews?

Preparation Although interviewing is complex, good pre-interview planning in developing the interview schedule can go a long way to improving the interview, and the data generated (Siobhan Hugh-Jones, 2010) Interview schedule –A series of broad interview questions

Key Issues Wording –Open-ended / Neutral / Why? Type –Behaviours/ experiences –Opinions/ values –Feelings/ emotions –Knowledge –Sensory –Background

Matrix of Question Options Patton (2002) Question FocusPastPresentFuture Behaviour/ experiences ✔✔✔ Opinions/ values ✔ Feelings/ emotions ✔ Knowledge ✔ Sensory ✔ Background ✔✔

Prompts & Probes Prompt –Sub-questions to help interviewees should they find it hard to answer initial question When did that happen Who else was involved Where were you during that time What was your involvement Probe –Searching sub-question to explore further Could you give me an example of… Would you elaborate on… I’m sensing that…

Communication Chronemics Communication –Pacing of speech and length of silence Paralinguistic Communication –Volume, pitch, and quality of voice Proxemic communication –Use of interpersonal space Kinaesthetic Communication –Body movements and postures

Inter-Personal Skills Ability to build rapport is key Adapt to the world of the interviewee Share their concerns and outlooks Be non-judgemental Be sensitive to the moods and responses Superb listening skills

Remember “The quality of the information obtained during an interview is largely dependent on the interviewer” (p. 341, Patton, 2002)

Key Reading Forrester, M.A. (2010). Doing qualitative research in psychology: A practical guide. Chapter 5. Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3 rd ed). Chapter 7.