Interviewing as Qualitative Research: A Guide for Researchers in Education and the Social Sciences. Fifth Edition

This popular text, now in its fifth edition, provides step-by-step guidance for new and experienced researchers who want to use interviewing as a research method. This user-friendly guide explains the rationale for interviewing and the complexity of selecting interview participants, important interviewing techniques, and how to work with the results of interviews. Appropriate for individual and classroom use, this expanded edition includes: a revised assessment of the utility of Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis systems; contributions by Julie Simpson, the Director of Research Integrity Services at the University of New Hampshire, about preparing research for local Institutional Review Boards; and guidance for obtaining informed consent when using technology to interview, when interviewing abroad, and when hoping to include children as participants. Book features include: (1) Principles and methods that can be adapted to a range of interviewing approaches; (2) A clear and inviting presentation appropriate for both individual use and for classes; (3) Ideas to help readers analyze and improve their own approach, as well as suggestions for group practice; (4) An interviewing technique that stresses listening, with guidance for avoiding leading questions; (5) Examples of doctorial students' research demonstrating that interviewing can deal with life and death issues, as well as everyday life; and (6) Updated references to help readers deepen their understanding of interviewing as qualitative research Cover Title Page Contents Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: How I Came to Interviewing Chapter 1. Why Interview? The Purpose of Interviewing Interviewing: “The” Method or “A” Method? Why Not Interview? Conclusion Chapter 2. A Structure for In-Depth, Phenomenological Interviewing What Makes Interviewing Phenomenological and Why Does It Matter? Phenomenological Theme One: The Temporal and Transitory Nature of Human Experience Phenomenological Theme Two: Whose Understanding Is It? Subjective Understanding Phenomenological Theme Three: Lived Experience as the Foundation of “Phenomena” Phenomenological Theme Four: The Emphasis on Meaning and Meaning in Context How Do These Phenomenological Themes Matter? The Three-Interview Series Respect the Structure Alternatives to the Structure and Process Length of Interviews Spacing of Interviews Whose Meaning Is It? Validity and Reliability Experience the Process Yourself Chapter 3. Proposing Research: From Mind to Paper to Action Research Proposals as Rites of Passage Commitment From Thought to Language What Is to Be Done? Questions to Structure the Proposal Rationale Working with the Material Piloting Your Work Conclusion Chapter 4. Establishing Access to, Making Contact with, and Selecting Participants The Perils of Easy Access Access Through Formal Gatekeepers Informal Gatekeepers Accessing Children Access and Hierarchy Making Contact Make a Contact Visit in Person Building the Participant Pool Some Logistical Considerations Selecting Participants Snares to Avoid in the Selection Process How Many Participants Are Enough? Chapter 5. The Path to Institutional Review Boards and Informed Consent The Belmont Report The Establishment of Local Institutional Review Boards The Informed Consent Document Seven Key Sections of an Informed Consent Document 1. What, How Long, How, to What End, and for Whom? 2. Risks, Discomforts, and Vulnerability 3. The Rights of the Participant 4. Possible Benefits 5. Confidentiality of Records 6. Dissemination 7. Contact Information and Copies of the Document Special Conditions for Children Informed Consent When Using Technology to Interview Informed Consent When Interviewing Abroad The Complexities of Affirming the IRB Review Process and Informed Consent Chapter 6. Technique Isn’t Everything, But It Is a Lot Listen More, Talk Less Follow Up on What the Participant Says Listen More, Talk Less, and Ask Real Questions Follow Up, but Don’t Interrupt Two Favorite Approaches Ask Participants to Reconstruct, Not to Remember Keep Participants Focused and Ask for Concrete Details Do Not Take the Ebbs and Flows of Interviewing Too Personally Limit Your Own Interaction Explore Laughter Follow Your Hunches Use an Interview Guide Cautiously Tolerate Silence Conclusion Chapter 7. Interviewing as a Relationship Interviewing as an “I–Thou” Relationship Rapport Social Group Identities and the Interviewing Relationship Distinguish Among Private, Personal, and Public Experiences Avoid a Therapeutic Relationship Reciprocity Equity Interviewing Online or by Telephone, and the Relationship Between Participant and Interviewer Chapter 8. Analyzing, Interpreting, and Sharing Interview Material Managing the Data Keeping Interviewing and Analysis Separate: What to Do Between Interviews Recording Interviews Transcribing Interviews Studying, Reducing, and Analyzing the Text Sharing Interview Data: Profiles and Themes Making and Analyzing Thematic Connections Interpreting the Material Computer Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS) Cautions Regarding CAQDAS Chapter 9. The Ethics of Doing Good Work Doing Good Work The Reciprocity Implicit in Treating Participants with Dignity Conclusion Appendix: Two Profiles Nanda: A Cambodian Survivor of the Pol Pot Era Betty: A Long-Time Day Care Provider References Index About the Author

This popular text provides step-by-step guidance for new and experienced researchers who want to use interviewing as a research method. Appropriate for individual and classroom use, this expanded edition explains the rationale for interviewing and the complexity of selecting interview participants, important interviewing techniques, and how to work with the results of interviews.

“For four editions, readers have turned to Interviewing as Qualitative Research for its practical and straight-forward presentation of a powerful interviewing model. With updated examples, new sections on ethics, and much more, this new edition remains a must-read for any graduate student or experienced researcher interested in the art of qualitative interviewing.”
—Nancy Dana, University of Florida

Praise for Previous Editions!

“A comprehensive perspective of the nature of qualitative inquiry and the art of interviewing.”
—Theory and Research in Social Education

“A good starting point for training new researchers.”
—The Journal of Higher Education

“I have used Seidman’s text with great success with graduate students new to qualitative research. Its complex yet readable treatment is an essential part of the toolbox for both novice and experienced qualitative interviewers.”
—Mark R. Warren, University of Massachusetts Boston

“This is a thoughtful and well-written introduction to the topic. I assign it in multiple undergraduate and graduate classes I teach. Highly recommended.”
—Amy Bruckman, Georgia Institute of Technology

_x000B_ This popular text provides step-by-step guidance for new and experienced researchers who want to use interviewing as a research method. Appropriate for individual and classroom use, this expanded edition explains the rationale for interviewing and the complexity of selecting interview participants, important interviewing techniques, and how to work with the results of interviews. "For four editions, readers have turned to Interviewing as Qualitative Research for its practical and straight-forward presentation of a powerful interviewing model. With updated examples, new sections on ethics, and much more, this new edition remains a must-read for any graduate student or experienced researcher interested in the art of qualitative interviewing." —Nancy Dana, University of Florida Praise for Previous Editions! "A comprehensive perspective of the nature of qualitative inquiry and the art of interviewing." — Theory and Research in Social Education "A good starting point for training new researchers." — The Journal of Higher Education "I have used Seidman's text with great success with graduate students new to qualitative research. Its complex yet readable treatment is an essential part of the toolbox for both novice and experienced qualitative interviewers." —Mark R. Warren, University of Massachusetts Boston "This is a thoughtful and well-written introduction to the topic. I assign it in multiple undergraduate and graduate classes I teach. Highly recommended." —Amy Bruckman, Georgia Institute of Technology "This popular text, now in its fifth edition, provides step-by-step guidance for new and experienced researchers who want to use interviewing as a research method. This user-friendly guide explains the rationale for interviewing and the complexity of selecting interview participants, important interviewing techniques, and how to work with the results of interviews. Appropriate for individual and classroom use, this expanded edition includes: a revised assessment of the utility of Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis systems; contributions by Julie Simpson, the Director of Research Integrity Services at the University of New Hampshire, about preparing research for local Institutional Review Boards; and guidance for obtaining informed consent when using technology to interview, when interviewing abroad, and when hoping to include children as participants"--Publisher's description