Interview 1 0 1

"MY ADVICE TO ALL INTERVIEWEES IS: SHUT UP AND LISTEN. IT'S HARDER THAN IT SOUNDS."

-Errol Morris



 Last Friday we had a Module Two call with Sam that centred on using interviews in qualitative research. 

This was a really helpful meeting as we were given pointers and advice as well as guidance on approach and conduct, and later on the meeting was opened up for questions and discussion.

It was especially interesting listening to Sam's own previous experiences with interviews in music research. I have noted some of they key points raised for future reference and anyone who wants them!



APPROACH

  • The interviewee is not answering your questions but bringing ideas and opening the topic
  • Go in with an open mind
  • Subjective Distanciation
    • stepping back to put space between the researcher and topic
    • being a 'data collecting computer'
    • having a sole purpose of gathering data
  • Don't have fixed ideas on what you want from the data and how you will analyse it - go with the flow if a new idea comes in
  • Interact as if you have never met the person - don't abandon your personal connection but think about how you can structure it to bring out new info and have new interactions
  • Don't force your opinion on people
  • Mindset of empathy
    • they are telling you personal stories
    • vulnerability
  • Try to plan ahead for situations rather than having to adapt


QUESTIONS
  • Start by settling the room with an ice-breaker
    • e.g., 'How did you get involved in ... ' or 'How did you get into the role of ... '
    • gets rid of nerves 
    • loosens up interviewee and helps them relax
    • friendly, gains trust and sets the tone for the interview
  • Don't ask questions leading into your experience and understanding 
  • Give yourself a set of questions (3/4)
    • this keeps the topic open but gives you confidence in the interaction
    • write them down!!! - these anchor you in conducting the interview beneficially
    • use open-ended questions
  • Don't be afraid to probe if they give a short answer
  • You can change your questions as the interview unfolds
  • Think about the process of gathering further data from what they are telling you


WHAT TO LOOK FOR
  • What do their stories tell you?
  • Key words
  • Language use
  • Pick up on key points
    • ask further questions
    • when they are answering one question, note it down and come back to it so you don't forget


CONDUCT & PRACTICALITIES
  • Make sure everyone knows what is happening in the interactions
  • Start by explaining what is about to happen
    • what, why, check consent to record
  • Let the data speak for itself
    • use keywords to guide the research
  • You may be worried the interview is going off track
  • You are collecting stories
    • guardian of story
    • a story may be useful to you further down the line
  • Become an active listener
    • avoid the natural tendency to switch off 
    • maintain eye-contact; nodding
    • show interest and engagement
    • feedback responses - e.g., 'that's interesting'
    • show you are valuing their time
  • Responding to content
    • respect every opinion
    • acknowledge what they have told you; don't offer opposing view
    • don't respond/react to an opinion
    • you have the right to break off the conversation if it is too personal to you
  • Check in with them if you have agreed a time period for the interview
    • you can conclude early if you have gathered sufficient data
    • check if they have any other questions or info to add
  • Let them know when you turn the recording off
  • Debrief - say what you will do next
  • Formally conclude and thank them
  • You can cut back the number of planned interviews for time management 


ANALYSING
  • Repeat listening reveals new things
  • You won't use everything
    • the interview doesn't need to be long
    • you will have to filter the data for what is useful




I hope everyone is getting on well with editing drafts! I can't believe how quickly Module 2 has gone and how much has been learnt in the last couple of months! 

Nearly there everyone! x

Comments

  1. Emily Smith25 April 2021 at 16:55

    Hi Roanne, so great go read what you got out of the discussion. I found the call so informative and enjoyed that Sam spoke to us and told us his experience and knowledge. He raised some really interesting pointers that I hadn't really considered. Since this call I have actually tried to write down some interview questions and its a lot harder than I expected! Luckily we have a while to get them down haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roanne Cox28 April 2021 at 02:28

      Hi Emily, yes I completely agree it was such an informative discussion and it gave me a lot to think about! And I've also attempted some interview question and am finding it a tad difficult! Definitely something for us to work on next term! x

      Delete
  2. Kirsty Walker27 April 2021 at 17:08

    Hi Roanne, Thank you so much for this! I tried to join the zoom call but since I was in my dressing room in the middle of a tech rehearsal whilst it was going on I found it super hard to concentrate and had to keep dipping in and out when I was called to stage! This is such a helpful and informative blog post and I wish I could have been more engaged during the call!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roanne Cox28 April 2021 at 02:32

      Hi Kirsty, I'm so glad this was helpful to you! It can be such a pain when you can't fully engage in discussions because you're trying to work round things but luckily we are there for each other with the blogs! Hopefully between us all we've covered everything for you. I hope tech rehearsals went well x

      Delete
  3. Jen Cooper27 April 2021 at 17:43

    Really great to read your blog Roanne. I too found Sam's call so helpful as he raised so many interesting points. Im looking forward to M3 now so we can actually get going with all the interviews! I hope your work is going well so far. I can't believe we only have a few weeks to go in M2!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roanne Cox28 April 2021 at 02:47

      Thank you Jen, I know what you mean, I'm excited to actually get out and do the research now (and to stop talking about what I will do!). I hope everything is coming together for you, and isn't it crazy how close we are! x

      Delete
  4. Alice Pettini1 May 2021 at 03:07

    Hi Roanne, this overview of the discussion is so in depth and I will definitely be coming back to it before I conduct interviews in module 3. I agree, it was so helpful. I was trying to put it out of my mind that I would actually have to conduct interviews, but learning about this now has been really helpful in understanding my role within the research more, and assisting with my proposal. I hope everything is going well! Less that 2 weeks to go now... wow! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Roanne Cox1 May 2021 at 07:15

      Hi Alice, I will definitely be coming back to this in module 3 because there is no chance I will remember all of this! I hope it helps you too! I really do know what you mean, even as I was writing my proposal it didn't seem real that I would have to actually do interviews at some point! Almost there ... hope editing is going well! x

      Delete

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