Research Paradigms and Interview Techniques

The study of how we know the world and the relationship between the person seeking knowledge and the knowledge itself.

A set of beliefs about how to study and gain knowledge about the social world, including methods of data collection, analysis, and argumentation.

A specific set of instructions on how to conduct research in the social world.

Interviews that concentrate on collecting participants' accounts of events, behaviors, and motivations.

A research paradigm that believes in a singular, objective truth that can be discovered through rigorous testing, often using quantitative methods.

Interviews that aim to understand how people interpret abstract concepts, events, phenomena, or texts.

A research paradigm that believes in a singular, objective truth and emphasizes the importance of neutral, unbiased observation to discover it.

Interviews that explore how participants construct their own narratives, focusing on their life stories or personal experiences.

A research paradigm that acknowledges the existence of a singular truth but recognizes that human limitations may make it difficult to fully grasp it.

A research paradigm that embraces multiple interpretations of truth and acknowledges the subjective nature of reality, often using qualitative methods.

Interviews that examine how people use symbols and arguments to express their positions, analyzing the language used to persuade or counter-argue.

The process of deciding who will participate in a study based on a specific criteria.

A research paradigm that believes truth is constructed through social interaction and that reality is subjective, depending on the observer's perspective.

A particular type of sampling where researchers strive to include participants who represent the full range of perspectives on a topic.

A sampling method that selects individuals who represent the average or typical cases in relation to the topic under investigation.

A sampling method that focuses on selecting participants who are at the extreme ends of a particular spectrum on a topic.

Interview data is used to reveal and analyze how individuals understand and interpret their reality, rather than attempting to uncover an objective 'Truth'. It focuses on the perspectives and meaning-making processes of interviewees.

Interview data is seen as a direct representation of the interviewees' real-world experiences. Responses are taken at face value and used to reconstruct events or practices. This approach typically aligns with quantitative research methods and a positivist paradigm.

Interview data is seen as a collaborative creation between the interviewer and interviewee. The responses are not viewed as a direct reflection of reality but as a symbolic construction of it, acknowledging the role of both parties.

Selecting participants for interviews based on specific characteristics relevant to the research question. This involves identifying individuals who can provide valuable insights due to their experiences, perspectives, or knowledge.

Clarity and justification in the researcher's decisions regarding participant selection. This involves providing reasoning and evidence for choosing particular individuals and explaining why they are well-suited to contribute to the study.

A method of analyzing text that focuses on how a communication message and its authors aim to influence its audience by exploring the techniques, strategies, and elements used to achieve persuasion.

The process of interpreting emotions, experiences, and understanding connections within a social context, considering relevant social dynamics.

The structural elements of an argument, including premises, conclusions, evidence, and examples.

Appeals to emotions, such as humor, fear, or sympathy, used to engage and influence the audience.

When new data no longer generates significantly new or different theoretical insights during qualitative analysis.

The process of repeated examination and analysis of qualitative data, helping refine the understanding of the subject.

The continuous improvement and adjustment of analysis based on new data and insights gained.

A set of concepts or ways of thinking that influences how we understand and talk about a particular topic. It can be found in both written and spoken communication, and it reflects the wider social structures.

Different ways of talking about a topic within a given discourse. They reveal how people make meaning and understand the world around them.

The analysis of how language is used to create, maintain, or challenge social structures and ideologies.

The layer of analysis that focuses on the meaning of words, phrases, and how they are used metaphorically or figuratively.

The layer of analysis that examines the structure of sentences and phrases, focusing on how they are organized and how they convey meaning.

The layer of analysis that focuses on the arguments made in a text, analyzing their logic and the evidence used to support them.

The layer of analysis that examines what actions or effects are being achieved through language. It explores the intended and unintended consequences of what is being said.

A process of identifying and revealing underlying assumptions and narratives that are often taken for granted in a text.

An implicit or explicit understanding, often unchallenged, that influences how people interpret the world. These assumptions can shape how people perceive reality, behave, and make decisions.

The examination of how language and narratives are used to express power dynamics and social inequalities. It analyzes how groups and individuals are represented and how this representation might influence perceptions and actions.

The process by which individuals internalize societal beliefs, values, and norms through interaction with others. It shapes our understandings of the world, our identities, and our behavior.

The need for researchers to openly explain the procedures used to analyze data, making the research process transparent and allowing readers to follow the reasoning behind the findings.

The process of providing detailed examples from the primary data to support the analytical claims made by the researcher. This helps readers understand how conclusions were drawn from the data.

A core principle of research, emphasizing the search for new knowledge, insights, and understandings. The goal is to expand our understanding through inquiry and analysis.