BBR 2024 Summer Sessions Interview Training

Qualitative research interview training by Professor Katrina Pritchard and Dr Helen Williams

1. Summer Sessions Qualitative Research Support

2. About us Advanced Qualitative Methods Leadership Teaching UG, PGT & MBA Gendered expectations as & at work Podcast: Prefer not to say… Inequalities In Entrepreneurship Negotiating Difference At Work Based at Swansea University Exploring complex identities at work Research funding from Swansea University CIPD ISBE

3. Part 1: The Interview The research interview: the what, the who, the how the hell? Common pitfalls of interviewing Interview skills: overview Part 2: Interviewing Skills Becoming the ‘interviewer’ Critical Incident Technique(s) (CIT) (a guide) Interview demonstration (the set up) Part 3 Interviewing exercise and observations (using probes to achieve depth) Feedback and close What To Expect

4. What are your greatest challenges when it comes to interviewing? Add them to the chat! Your Experiences

5. Part 1: The Interview

6. Why Research Interviews? One of the most popular methods of data collection in qualitative research. A dialogic exchange between a researcher-interviewer and participant(s)-interviewee. I nterview is seen as a process of knowledge exchange; knowledge that is revealed by the participant as a result of “meaningful dialogue” ( Dundon & Ryan, 2010, p. 564). Increasingly critiqued for being over-simplified, rather than understood as a craft (e.g., Silverman, 2017).

7. Photo-elicitation Object interviews Technologically mediated interviews Interviews with multiple participants Behavioral event interviews Phenomenological Interviews Participant-led interviews Types of Qual Research Interviews

8. As qualitative researchers, we must consider ethical implications when it comes to conducting interviews. Informed consent Right to refuse a question Recording rights Right to withdraw Right to anonymity/confidentiality etc Further debate focuses on selection of participants; the question of ‘how many participants?’ receives particular attention (Saunders & Townsend, 2016). H ow do we engage with different interviewees, from those deemed vulnerable, to the powerful organizational executive ? Ethical Considerations This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

9. Setting up your interview correctly Asking leading questions Using judgmental language or tone Dealing with ‘talkers’ Dealing with silent participants Managing sensitive topics Managing informed consent Getting enough depth from your data Managing multiple modes (using elicitation tools etc ) Interview design does not suit epistemological commitments Managing your self Common Challenges

10. Key Interview Skills: An Overview Designing interview questions and structure Setting up your interview (online vs. in-person) Coaching as opposed to leading your participant Using p robes Active vs. passive listening Navigating emotions Ending your interview

11. A key challenge for any interviewer is how you can use questions to help you achieve depth Getting beyond generalisations is a key skill (that needs to be developed) Short probes help to dig below the surface – this requires active listening and closely following participant's responses Duck Diving: Achieving ‘Depth’

12. The Documentary Maker This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

13. What was your thinking behind that? How did you respond (to that)? How did that make you feel? When you say X, what do you mean by that? Tell me a bit more about X? What did they/she/he say? Take me back to X… Can you tell me a bit more about the nature of…? The shorter the better! The use of ‘why’ questions are often discouraged. Useful Probes

14. An effective interviewer is aware of how they may be perceived by participants (before, during, and after the interview): Role of voice/tone (audio queues) Role of body language (visual queues) Thinking about how you may be perceived by participants – judging how much of ‘you’ needs to be communicated Being aware of how you are responding to certain participants (halo effect etc) You will be be biased – the key is understanding how this can impact the interview dynamic. The Role of Self-Awareness/Reflexivity

15. Part 2: Interview Skills in Practice

16. One of the most common methods of questioning interviewees in qualitative research The explicitation interview, is a form of guided retrospective introspection (Bedin et al., 2019; Vermersch , 1995) T ake inspiration from so-called ‘ Ericksonian language’ and also the non-directive interview techniques of psychologist Rogers (1985), which stipulate the use of a specific kind of open question in contrast to closed questions ( Petitmengin , 2006, pp. 250–255) A ims to draw ‘granularity’ from your discussion ( Vermersch , 2009, p. 51) The Explicitation Technique

17. Depends on your research question Generally, start with broad open questions Use your probes to help prompt the participant Think about the ‘type’ of participant you are interviewing You may have to adapt your questions 3 - 5 overarching, open questions (this is not about just asking your research question!) Designing Interview Questions

18. Researcher safety Preparing your interview ‘kit bag’ (same for online) Logistics (what, when, where etc.) Participant communication (before, during, after) Before Your Interview… This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

19. Every participant you interview will be different, this requires adaptability in your approach Neurodivergent participants may require questions to be asked differently (for example, you may need to be more direct, rather than open and non-specific) Needs may not be apparent until you are in the interview (have some common statements up your sleeve to help you here) Sending materials in advance? Know when to stop (this should always be participant-led) Adapting to Participant’s Needs

20. The set-up is (for us) the most important part of the interview Set up your interview space (water, pens, paper etc) Managing expectations is key to a good interview (no surprises!) Points to cover in your set-up: What you are going to be discussing, and why How long the interview will last The structure of the interview (and the kinds of questions being discussed) If you are using elicitation materials, introduce these Provide them a chance to ask any questions Discuss how you are recording the interview Getting the set-up right (in-person)

21. Test your connection and make sure your participant’s connection is also good We always record the interview on a Dictaphone too (just in case!) Ensure to discuss that a recording will also involve visual and audio (video must be deleted after the interview), especially if you are using Teams or Zoom Ask if they would like closed captions turned on Points to cover in your set-up(in addition to in-person set up): What to do if connection is lost or if interview is interrupted Check to see if the participant is in a place where they can speak freely (and audio is good enough) Ensure participant is comfortable and has everything they need Try to be relaxed! Getting the set-up right (online)

22. Interview set-up demonstration Observe our online live interview set-up! You will be practising this shortly!

23. Important to allow your participant space to reflect and decompress Make notes about what is said during this time Repeat setting up steps to reinforce: Next steps (what’s going to happen with their data) Informed consent How to contact you or your research team The Importance the Debrief

24. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Searching for data nuggets…

25. What was your thinking behind that? How did you respond (to that)? How did that make you feel? When you say X, what do you mean by that? Tell me a bit more about X? What did they/she/he say? Take me back to X… Can you tell me a bit more about the nature of…? The shorter the better! The use of ‘why’ questions are often discouraged. Useful Probes

26. Part 3: Interview Exercise/Observations

27. Observe probing technique Using broad, open questions is key Probing for depth and detail is a key skill to develop This can be harder online (so the set-up is important here)

28. In trios take turns to be: Interviewer Interviewee Observer Practice probing and getting below the surface! Start with the question: Can you tell me about a time at work where you felt really proud? Max 5 mins each Your Turn!

29. Remember: interviewing is a skill, the more you do the easier it gets It’s ok if you ask leading questions or make mistakes, don’t panic! Just keep going and mark it up in your transcript later (you won’t be able to use this data) Always pilot your interview questions! Informed consent is not static Debrief

30. @ProfKPritchard @HelenCWilliams @BreakBinaries [email protected] [email protected]