1. 10.2 Qualitative research: Interviews
Ms. Binns

2. Learning Objective Evaluate semi-structured interviews focus groups
narrative interviews

3. Semi-structured Interviews
Most widely used by psychology
Data can be analysed using several theoretical approaches
Basic outline
Interview guide that lists themes to be explored
Used as a checklist to ensure the same information is asked for with each participant
Flexibility is found with changing order of questions and actual words of questions
Interviewer can ask for more depth prn

4. Questioning technique
Combination of open and closed-ended
Closed-ended focus the topic initially
Open-ended look for free response and depth
Insight into personal experiences and phenomena
Interview will look informal and conversational
face-to-face
Telephone
Diaries, journals, other pieces of writing

5. Strengths and Limitations
Gathers information on socially sensitive issues
Less biased by researchers preconceptions
Flexibility of open-ended approaches
Various analysis methods
Interview guide sets out themes to explore (structure)
Limitations
Can not pursue themes that have not been planned for
One-to-one set up is artificial ?ecological validity
Data analysis very time-consuming

6. Focus Groups Started by communication and market researchers
Now used by health educators and psychologists
Researching peoples experiences with disease and death
Group process helps people explore and clarify their views on topics
Explore open-ended questions that encourage the participants to explore the issues of importance to them
Talk freely, generate ideas
6-10 people
Purposive sample (all have the same issue)

7. Role of Group Facilitator
Researcher is the facilitator
Monitors the discussion
Sets the time
Establishes the topic of research
Brings the group on track, and guides discussion prn
Participants respond to and comment on each other’s contributions- generates rich data for the researcher

8. Types of Focus Groups Homogeneous Heterogeneous Pre-existing New
One shared key feature
Heterogeneous
Participant are different
Pre-existing
Research finds the group and asks them to participate
New
Group is formed by researchers
Concerned
Participants have a direct interest in outcomes
Naive
Participants do not have a direct interest or commitment

9. Focus group dynamics Use everyday interpersonal communication patterns
Arguments, jokes
Does not discriminate again those that can not read or write
“real” information compared to what you might answer to questions during an interview

10. Strengths- focus groups
Quick and convenient
Multiple participants
Natural setting- high ecological validity
Explores peoples knowledge and experiences and gains insights into what and how they think about an issue and how they communicate that knowledge
Can highlight cultural values and group norms

11. Limitations- focus groups
Not appropriate for all research questions
Presence of others may result in group dynamics such as conformity
Can be a problem ethically if the participants are not “free”- nursing homes and prisons

12. Narrative Interviews Story telling Knowing is translated into telling
The way the self constructs a story of identity in relation to other people and the sociocultural context in which they live (Parker, 2005)
Narratives show an individual’s interpretations of the world they see
Constructed like real stories, opening, middle and end
Interviews help us see how people create order to make sense of events

13. Narrative Interviews Life-story interview
Or, focus on how an individual experiences a particular situation, both personally and in relation to the world

14. Strengths and Limitations
Valuable exploration of complexity of individual experiences
Universal- particiapants use everyday language and talk freely
Limitations
Produce an enormous amount of data- time consuming to transcribe and analyse

15. Task
Design three research studies using the three methods covered in this class.
Pick a topic and write a 5 question semi- structured interview guide that will gather information about it
Pick a topic and set-up the structure of a focus group of students in Y12
Create questions that could explore a topic using the narrative approach.
Think of the ethical considerations that arise for each method