Badania: Etapy, Standardyzacja, Wywiady

• The following are study notes about various interviewing techniques and components of a research project.

The Seven Stages of a Research Project

• Conceptualization: Formulating the research objective and the research problem.
• Study Design: Planning the research process.
• Conducting Interviews: Gathering data through interviews.
• Transcription: Converting spoken data into written text.
• Data Analysis: Interpreting and organizing the transcribed data.
• Verification: Assessing the validity, reliability, and generalizability of the findings.
• Reporting: Presenting the research findings in a clear and coherent manner.

Standardization

• Qualitative research lacks standardized procedures.
• Standardization can be applied to question formulation and sequencing.
• Standardized questionnaires and statistical analyses are used to represent respondents’ answers.

Research Objectives

• Explanation of the purpose of the research.
• Initial understanding and data collection on the subject being researched.
• Identifying appropriate interview techniques to gather information.

Conceptualization

• Identifying the researchable topic
• Choosing appropriate research methods.
• Understanding open-ended vs closed questions
• Consulting experts in the field

The Significance of Theory

• Explaining the problem that is being researched.
• Recognizing the importance of theory to be able to narrow down a topic and determine which method is most appropriate.
• Examining the potential for gathering information on an occurrence by applying numerous theoretical interpretations.

The Research Journal

• Keeping a research journal that includes everyday thoughts on information attained in interviews, views on earlier events, and reflections on the study process.
• Considering the significance of events and feelings in the process itself.

The Number of Respondents Needed

• There are a few considerations when determining the number of respondents in a survey
• Each case is different - If the goal is to simply describe a single situation, then only one respondent is necessary
• Theoretical saturation can be determined when fresh interviews no longer provide new information.
• Surveys are not appropriate for studies requiring a representative sample size.
• To achieve statistical representation about 1000 respondents is required, which makes qualitative studies impractical.

Theoretical Saturation

• This is a point in qualitative data collection when new data no longer bring additional insights to the research questions.
• Data collection can cease after this has been achieved

Validity

• The extent to which research findings accurately reflect the topic under study.
• It refers to whether the research measures what it intends to measure.

Reliability

• The consistency and dependability of research data.
• It relates to consistency in measures including coding strategies.

When Not to Conduct Interviews

• When the research aims to predict the behavior of large groups.
• When there is limited time and resources for the research.
• Other methods, such as observation, may be a better fit depending on the goal of research.
• When the goal is only the use of therapy to dive into the personal knowledge of patients, and there are no therapeutic reasons for research.

The Use of Mixed Methods

• Combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques
• Can provide you with numbers to back-up personal stories, giving your research more holistic results

Conditions for Conducting Good Interviews

• Creating an atmosphere that promotes open and honest communication.
• Ensuring a good location and background for interviews.
• Having well thought-out and clear plans.

A Semi-Structured Interview

• Allows for a change in topic in order to follow-up on key points and feelings.
• A good way to adapt to personal experiences for your subject.
• Should follow a theme, and maintain key questions

Briefing

• Giving a simple introduction to the interview
• Describe the goal, and how confidentiality will be handled
• Remind the subject they can ask questions at anytime

Debriefing

• Summarize the key ideas, and provide closure
• Ask the interviewee if they have anything else to add
• Allows the interviewee to reflect on the interview, and for you as the interviewer to understand if your questions or approach had unintended consequences

Interview Script

• Functions as a guide that establishes a framework for the subject
• May allow you to create new questions based on answers during the session
• Make sure to build questions based on the subjects and the study at hand

Transparency of the Interview's Purpose

• Open communication, so the subject knows what the study involves
• Make sure what is happening for an ethical, and honest session
• If the subject is not aware of the study, and the interview is not properly structured, the conversation can devolve, or the person won't be as helpful

Question Type: Thematic and Dynamic

• Thematic questions ensure that there is a framework, ensuring focus on the studies thesis, and the questions involved with the goal.
• Well written and dynamic questions must inspire confidence in the interviewer.
• If a question promotes an unwanted end to a conversation, then the thematic intent is destroyed

Types of Interview Questions

• The basic types include A: Introductory questions, B: Development questions, C: In-depth questions, D: Specific questions, E: Direct questions, F: Indirect questions, and G: Interpreting questions.
• Introductory questions: help begin the interview to elicit feelings
• Development questions: lead into key points
• In depth questions: help uncover deep thoughts not previously mentioned
• Specific questions: find a specific answer the interviewee may be overlooking
• Direct questions: used to elicit a yes or now
• Indirect questions: help bring about new points of view
• Interpreting questions - These are used to help guide the conversation more specifically

Linguistic Forms of Questions

• These are more specific: A: to the point, B: a topic, C: an experience, D: feelings, E: belief
• The method that you choose may sway the topic in different ways.
• There is a lot to balance in this process

An Analogy to Chess

• Conducting an interview is like a chess match, where one has to plan their approach to each new statement and turn.
• The interviewee can and will make decisions, and say things that push you to be better, making constant reflection a must.

Probing

• To probe effectively requires attentive listening and knowledge of the topic.
• It's essential to develop each person in the dialogue
• There is no magic formula

Conducting interviews with representatives of Other Cultures

• Cultural sensitivity matters for questions and topics to be discussed
• The more diverse studies depend on how the interviewer has a diverse background.
• Knowing the differences in cultures for the study can greatly change your approach, making it a must.

Conducting interviews with children

• For studies amongst children getting comfortable is a must.
• It's important to remember their world may be very different than yours.
• Some things such as power struggles must be remembered to make your approach more relatable.

Conducting interviews with elites

• For those studies, often they are more forthcoming and educated than the interviewer.
• Maintaining a level playing field by being knowledgeable is important for an ethical and helpful interview session

Types of interviews

• Factual: Inquire to find out the answer to specific questions
• Conceptual: Helps with defining a concept, often a more intimate discussion that is led by the subject if possible.
• Focus groups is great for seeing interaction between the subject group, but could also be difficult to control
• Narrative allows for history, and stories, by allowing a long line of thoughts one can see the personal side, as well as all sides of the story
• Discursive: Helps to see how stories can be interpreted, as to what may matter most.
• Confrontational: Creates great tension, as ideas are pressed again resulting to the best answer.