Qualitative Interviews: A Deep Dive

The Pervasiveness of Interviews in Modern Society

Interviews have become deeply ingrained in our society, shaping how we gather information, conduct research, and interact with the world around us. From political polling to market research, educational assessments to healthcare consultations, interviews play a crucial role in understanding individuals' perspectives, experiences, and knowledge. Even the media utilizes interviews extensively, contributing to their widespread presence in popular culture.

The Qualitative Interview in Social Research

Within social research, the qualitative interview holds a prominent position, employed by both positivist (quantitative) and interpretive (qualitative) researchers. While their specific objectives may differ—for instance, quantifying an individual's ideological stance versus exploring their interpretation of a life event—both approaches utilize interviews as a primary means of data collection.

Defining the Qualitative Interview

Alonso defines the qualitative interview as a communicative process where a researcher gathers information from an informant. This information stems from the informant's biography, encompassing their representations and interpretations of lived experiences. The interviewee's perspective, shaped by their experiences and interpretations, is central to this process. The researcher focuses on the interviewee's subjective narrative, recognizing that their account may be influenced by personal biases, memory distortions, or the desire to conform to social norms.

Distinguishing Qualitative Interviews from Ordinary Conversations

While often compared to everyday conversations, qualitative interviews possess distinct characteristics that set them apart:

• Researcher-led: The researcher initiates and guides the interview, encouraging the interviewee to elaborate while maintaining control over the interaction.
• Knowledge-driven: The interview serves a specific research purpose, with the interviewer directing the conversation towards relevant topics.
• Targeted selection: Participants are carefully chosen based on specific criteria, rather than being randomly selected.
• Acknowledged power dynamic: The respondent recognizes the inherent asymmetry in the interviewer-interviewee relationship and adapts their responses accordingly.
• Pragmatic focus: The interview is analyzed for insights into the respondent's beliefs, values, and experiences, particularly where they deviate from societal norms.
• Extended duration: Qualitative interviews often involve multiple sessions, especially for biographical research.

These characteristics also differentiate qualitative interviews from other professional interview formats, such as journalistic interviews, job interviews, or medical consultations.