While reading both Cribb and Berger’s approaches towards the interview process a few major differences jumped out at me; although they both cover a similar topic each author approaches the process with a unique angle. Cribb focuses on the basic overlay of the interview, presenting the layout of how an interview transpires from the initial icebreaker to asking the interviewee if there is anything they would like to cover. This process centers around how the interviewee is feeling, the flow of the interview depends on how you approach each question and the result will determine your next step. Berger uses a more scientific method, incorporating not only the common structure of a conversation but explains that these questions asked by interviewers …show more content…
Rubin’s piece on qualitative interviewing presents ideas that have not been mentioned in the reading above; this conversation brings forth the idea of cultural connotations as well as the belief that the interviewer is not an objective member in the process but rather an active participant. While Cribb and Berger delve into the methods of proper interviewing they miss an essential first step; understanding the possibility of diverse meanings attached to words. Rubin specifies that before the interviewing process begins the two involved (interviewer and interviewee) must come to a shared meaning of the words to be used in the interview in order to prevent confusion among the parties. Berger and Cribb assume that throughout their conversation the interviewee will not encounter a word or phrase that holds different meaning to the researcher, however as Rubin discusses this is not the case. Due to the vast amount of diverse cultures in the world, the chance of approaching a word that holds a separate meaning to the two parties is highly likely and will affect the outcome of the
The interviews in Anne Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down and Joshua Reno’s Waste Away both have their fair share of barriers to overcome, even though their research could not be more different. Anne Fadiman conducts interviews in two drastically different topics, Hmong culture and medicine. Joshua Reno favors a landfill in Michigan; interviewing residents living next to Four Corners Landfill. However different these two areas of research may be, both books show that interviewing individuals is a research method incredibly valuable when working to determine a person or group’s feelings and ideas. Both anthropologists use interviewing as a method to gain information, but are careful to align with the culture of each of the
In writing Northern Frontier, Northern Homeland, Thomas Berger faced the challenge of articulating the interests of Northern Canada's native peoples, who adamantly protested the proposed establishment of a pipeline in their region. He was motivated by the desire to present their concerns and perspectives in a way that could not be trivialized by the Canadian government. (Berger 3) According to Berger, “the industrial system is now impinging on the northern native people. History and perceived economic necessity have brought the white and the native societies into contact on our northern frontier...” (161) Due to the nature of the conflict between indigenous and industrial interests, Berger's emphasis on native testimony, and the social justice
Charles Nordhoff noted, blacks “will tell you precisely what you want to hear.” Interviewers’ questions, though unconsciously, “constantly communicated with their subjects the kind of evidence they want, the length of answers and even the manner in which answers ought to be offered” (Davidson 181). The personal relationships also created an interesting dynamic during an interview. Interviewees often knew interviewers personally and said, “I don’t want to tell you nothin’ but what to please you” (Davidson 183).
Power point slide Qualitative research is a difficult term to define…. Nevertheless, it is important to be familiar with some definitions in the field. The definition provided by Creswell 2009 is enlightening because it incorporates ……….. most important part of definition for me were reports detailed views of informants and natural setting.
Shinnar, R. S., 2007. A Qualitative Examination of Mexican Immigrants' Career Development: Perceived Barriers and Motivators. Journal of Career Development, 33(4), pp. 338-375.
An interview guide was constructed and then tested through two pilot interviews, during with time frame was evaluated. After these tests were executed, some small adjustments were made in order to better frame the questions. The sample was interviewed during three weeks in March and April 2012, using the semi- structured questions from the interview guide. The authors were aware of the effect that the response to some questions may have on the following responses, if a specific question was posed prior to another. Therefore general rules formulated within qualitative research for the sequence of questions, were followed. (Bryman, 2002). The authors deemed that the first question had
The famous German alchemist Basil Valentine first wrote about this mysterious Azoth in the 1659 book Azoth of the Philosophers as following the seven steps of alchemy being calcination, dissolution, separation, conjunction, fermentation, distillation, and coagulation. The same author points out that the image of the Basilisk is associated with the stage of dissolution:
Researchers who uses qualitative study for addressing a problem they are interested in are most often confronted with enormous background knowledge they could use to make their research more successful. (Flick, 2007)
Qualitative research is concerned with meanings of experiences and interactions. Qualitative research is very common in the social sciences, although it is often used in market research as well (Alasuutari, 2010; Nieswiadomy, 2011). There has been quite a rise in qualitative research in the last 30 years. It first started to emerge in journals in the 1960’s, and an increase in the number of qualitative research can be seen in research journals in the 1980’s (Alasuutari, 2010). Instead of looking at the statistical numbers within research, the researcher in interested in getting within the research, and understanding the phenomenon (Leedy, 2011; LoBionod-Wood & Haber, 2013).
When in an art gallery that displays oil paintings from the Renaissance era, one might by mystified as to the true interpretation of such paintings. The majority of people today are unaware that they do not view oil paintings the way they were traditionally meant to be viewed. As we admire them, do we ever stop to analyze why they were painted in the first place, and for whom they were they painted for? By understanding why oil paintings depict certain things, consequently our view and interpretation of them will alter. Oil paintings were a luxury only the wealthy could partake in, seeking out artists that would be able paint their possessions in the most realistic way. Anthropologist Levi-Strauss comments “… rich Italian merchants looked upon painters as agents, who allowed them to confirm their possession of all that was beautiful and desirable in the world.” (qtd. in. Berger 86). It was the wealthy who ultimately instructed the artist what to paint, usually a possession they desired to be put on canvas. In John Berger’s book Ways of Seeing, he writes “Oil paintings often depict things. Things which in reality are buyable. To have a thing painted and put on a canvas is not
A person’s culture has a great influence on his or her self-identity and behavior. Culture encompasses many aspects, and is defined by Juang and Matsumoto (2011) as a, “unique meaning and information system, shared by a group and transmitted across generations, that allows the group to meet basic needs of survival, pursue happiness and well-being, and derive meaning from life” (p. 15). As discussed in lecture, different dimensions of culture are identified by Geert Hofstede and different values of culture are identified by Shalom Schwartz (K. Whitten, personal communication, January 14, 2016). The level of emphasis placed on these dimensions and values result in the expression of a unique culture. I interviewed
We cannot observe behaviors that took place at some previous point in time. We cannot observe situations that preclude the presence of an observer. We cannot observe how many people have organized the world and the meanings they attach to what goes on in the world. We have to ask people questions about those things. The purpose of interviewing, then, is to allow us to enter into the other person’s perspective. (pp. 340-341)
Qualitative research is conducted in a natural setting and attempts to understand a human problem by developing a holistic narrative and reporting detailed views of informants about the culture of a problem. It forms a report with pictures and words. One of the most important distinctions that sets qualitative research apart from more traditional types of research is that qualitative research is holistic in that researchers study phenomena in their entirety rather than narrowing the focus to specific defined variables” (p. 93). Similarly, Cresswell (1984) indicated that qualitative research “is defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting” (p. 2). Cresswell’s definition clearly delineates the major characteristics of qualitative research. Pg. 50 (Smith & Davis, 2010).
Phenomenological interview limitations may appear due to the researcher’s lack of experience in conducting interviews (Downey, 2015); which may interfere with the researcher’s focus and intentionality (Ashworth, 2017). Limitations may occur with the relationship between the researcher and the interviewee, including power struggles which might affect trust and honest participant reflections (Boucher, 2017). Further, time limitations could impede upon a participants deliberation process during the interview process (Downey, 2015). If a researcher is to understand the essence of a phenomenon; a suspension of judgment is required during participant interviews (Ashworth, 2017). Additionally, the researcher will need to be extremely attentive to experience the study through the participants’ eyes (Kelley, 2016). Individuals may choose not to answer every question, which is acceptable; yet, missing data can also become a limitation to the study. However, if enough participants do not answer the same question, the question might need to be reframed or removed; additionally, secondary data, such as technical reports, white papers or additional publications might be necessary to validate the research question (Johnston, 2014).
Maxwell (2005) also notes that qualitative research can be used to address various issues and is not restricted to one ontological stance. The method also involves developing a relationship with the people one is studying, an aspect that is important in defining the authenticity of the data and determining the course of action.