Qualitative Interview

Introduction

Reviewing the previous qualitative studies, the interview has become one of key research approaches (along with field observations and document analysis) for gathering data that is closely conducted by qualitative researchers. (Kvale, 1996; Brinkmann, 2008; Seidman, 2006). As Gubrium & Holstein (2003) suggest that the qualitative interviews are able to assist researchers to investigate the discovery-oriented enquiries and the increased understanding of subjectivities in the researching fields of social science, media, health care, etc.

The qualitative interview offers researcher an opportunity to convey a conversational situation to discover the participants’ personal experience from the interviewer’s perspective and expressed in their own words. According to Seidman (2006), the interviewing conversations conducted in a qualitative research are based on the interaction between the interviewers and interviewees thereby generating/collecting effective research data. Kvale (1996) also states that interview just reflects another form of social interaction that relies on interviewee’s personal status and characteristics. He suggests such personal elements are potentially to affect the generated data and data analysis. Hence, it is essential for the interviewers to structure purposive conversations that are able to guide the interviewees to answer the questions in depth from the expected perspectives.

Moreover, another important factor to consider in terms of influencing data generation is the use of technology in recording and storing interview data. If these factors are acknowledged, carefully considered, and systematically managed, the data generation process can be significantly enhanced.

Interviews in Qualitative Me...

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...) during the interview. The strategic use of silence, if used appropriately, can also be highly effective at getting respondents to contemplate their responses, talk more, elaborate or clarify particular issues.

Conclusion

Throughout the interview, to establish the rapport with interviews, get trust and 默契。This can be achieved by, for example, respecting the informants’ opinions, supporting their feelings, or recognising their responses. This can also be shown by the researchers’ tone of voice, expressions or even gestures. In addition, Kvale (1996) suggests that ‘a good contact is established by attentive listening, with the interviewer showing interest, understanding, and respect for what the subjects say.’ He (1996) continues, ‘a good interview] allows subjects to finish what they are saying, and lets them proceed at their own rate of thinking and speaking.’