Interviews as a Geographic Research Method

Key vocabulary terms and definitions related to interviews as a geographic research method.

Interviews

• A geographic research method used to gather rich, detailed data through conversational interactions, allowing interviewees to construct their accounts on their own terms.

• on surface level - may seem easy

Why do geographers interview ?

• to gain in-depth understanding

• to gather info

• to listen to experiences + interpretations

• to grasp complexity, ambiguity and contradiction

• to design a research project with interview participants

significance of interviews as a method

• conversational form - each one varies due to the experiences and views of interviewee

• good interviews - sensitive approach

• interactive and reflexive method - allows interviewee to shape it

• flexible methods - experiences approached from multiple angles

• rich and detained material

Insights from qualitative interview data

• meanings

• values

• interpretations

• perspectives

• experiences

• causation - relationship between cause and effect

• Geertz '“thick description” - interpreting cultural practices, behaviours by providing detailed explanation of their meaning and context

Who to interview

• sampling is purposive rather than representative

• most have small, random samples

• people with info we want to know

• people with certain kinds of life experiences we want to study

• everyday experiences ?

• elite experiences ?

• gatekeepers

Interviewer Positionality

The recognition and consideration of one's own identity, embodied characteristics, and power dynamics in relation to research participants, shaping interactions and perceptions.

Ethics of Interviewing

• The principles and guidelines that ensure ethical research practice, including providing participants with information, obtaining consent, and ensuring their right to withdrawal and anonymity.

• are interviewees vulnerable ?

• interviewer should be open and transparent

• questions designed with care

• interview should be open at all times to interviewee feedback and response

Types of Interviews

• structured - standardised set of qs

• semi-structured - mix of predetermined and open ended questions

• unstructured - qs not predetermined or arranged in specific order

• elicitation - use of a variety of methods - photos, visuals etc

• mobile

• oral history interviews

• skype/ zoom

• repeat - more than one, builds trust, contributes to nuance

• life-story interviews

Where to interview

• static or mobile

• practicalities - possible for participants to travel

• privacy and safety - for both researcher and participant

• power dynamics - community, gender, race/ethnicity

• interview space ?

Interview-data-as-resource

A viewpoint where interview data is seen as a source of information, often used in structured and semi-structured interviews.

Interview-as-topic

A viewpoint where the interview itself is the subject of analysis, common in more flexible, constructionist interview formations.

Microgeographies of the interview space

The consideration of how the location of an interview, whether static or mobile, impacts the data collected, including privacy, safety, and power dynamics.

Interview process

decide on type —> location —> interview topics —> research ethics and risk assessment —> recruit interviewees —→ test recording equipment —> do interview —> data management and storage —> transcribe —> data storage and disposal —> analyse —> follow up

Establishing Rapport - interview practice

Building a positive relationship between interviewer and interviewee to encourage forthcoming responses and understand participant motivations, while maintaining a critical posture.

learn about cultural and social context of interviewee

Active Listening - interfere practice

Paying close attention to the interviewee's responses, showing empathy, and asking clarifying questions to ensure a deep understanding of their experiences and perspectives.

Writing the interview

• not always possible to take notes

• an be difficult to focus on what is being said

• maintain flow of conversation

• record interview in device

• require permission from participant

• consent form

Transcribing the Interview

The process of converting audio or video recordings of interviews into written text, capturing verbal and non-verbal communication, with considerations for nuance and detail.

Coding

The process of assigning words or short phrases to segments of interview data to identify recurring themes or patterns.

inductive and deductive reasoning and analysis used

Inductive Analysis

An analytical approach where major themes emerge directly from the interview transcript.

Deductive Analysis

An analytical approach used to contextualize inductive themes and identify further themes based on wider reading and scholarship.